Penalties for unlicensed lettings in Nottingham
Property Licensing Guide for Nottingham
Nottingham currently operates selective licensing in 16 wards and additional licensing in 20 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 20 October 2026.
This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Nottingham is in the East Midlands registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 February 2027: see when landlords in the East Midlands have to register on the PRS database.
Nottingham Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Nottingham address is in the selective licensing area, enter its postcode in the council’s MyProperty tool. Kamma’s free checker below also covers additional and HMO schemes.
Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.
Not sure whether a Nottingham property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Nottingham property →What are the licensing requirements for Nottingham?
Mandatory licensing in Nottingham
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Nottingham (and all of England) to larger HMOs. These are properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in Nottingham?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed. That means a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Nottingham operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Nottingham?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Nottingham operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2028, covering Aspley, Basford, Berridge, Bestwood, Bilborough, Bulwell, Bulwell Forest, Castle, Clifton East, Clifton West, Dales, Hyson Green & Arboretum, Leen Valley, Lenton & Wollaton East, Mapperley, Meadows, Radford, Sherwood, St. Ann’s and Wollaton West.
Selective licensing: 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2028, covering Aspley, Basford, Berridge, Bulwell, Bulwell Forest, Castle, Dales, Hyson Green & Arboretum, Leen Valley, Lenton & Wollaton East, Mapperley, Meadows, Radford, Sherwood, St. Ann’s and Wollaton West.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Nottingham Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees: Nottingham City Council set new fees from 1 April 2026. Selective licences cost £759 for accredited landlords, £950 for non-accredited and £1,318 for less compliant. Additional HMO licences cost £1,210 accredited, £1,607 standard and £2,180 less compliant. See the council’s selective and additional licensing pages, and its fee policy, for mandatory HMO fees.
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Nottingham Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Nottingham operate?
Nottingham City Council operates selective licensing from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2028 and additional HMO licensing from 1 January 2024, alongside mandatory HMO licensing. The scheme details above list the wards.
Do all properties in Nottingham need a licence?
Not every property in Nottingham needs a licence. Under Nottingham’s selective scheme, privately rented homes in the designated wards need one. HMOs need a mandatory licence at five or more people, or an additional licence at three or more across the city.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Letting an unlicensed property in Nottingham can bring a civil penalty of up to £40,000 for offences on or after 1 May 2026. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for Nottingham selective, additional and HMO licences on behalf of landlords, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Nottingham property licence?
Apply to Nottingham City Council online through its selective or additional licensing pages. Online payment is by debit or credit card or PayPal. A managed service such as Kamma can also prepare the application.
Why did Nottingham introduce selective licensing?
Nottingham City Council introduced its second selective licensing scheme in areas where it had gathered evidence of poorer property conditions. It cites hazards such as electrical, gas, fire safety, damp and mould problems.
Why did Nottingham introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Nottingham?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Nottingham
Nottingham, located in Nottinghamshire, England, is a historic city along the River Trent. Established by Anglo-Saxons in the 6th century, it became a prominent town during the Danelaw period. The city is known for its connection to Robin Hood, with a statue commemorating the legend near Nottingham Castle. Key landmarks include the Old Market Square, Nottingham Castle, and University of Nottingham. The city’s economy is diverse, with strengths in transport, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and services. The council estimates its selective scheme covers about 30,000 privately rented homes, and its additional scheme about 2,300 HMOs.
Licensing Enforcement in Nottingham
Nottingham City Council enforces its selective and additional licensing schemes. The Secretary of State confirmed the selective designation on 26 July 2023. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
