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Property Licensing Guide for Portsmouth
Portsmouth currently operates additional licensing in 14 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.
Portsmouth is in the South East registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 March 2027: see what the PRS database means for landlords and agents in the South East.
Portsmouth Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Portsmouth HMO is licensed, ask the council’s HMO licensing team on 023 9284 1659 or at hmo.licensing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Portsmouth City Council must keep a register of licensed HMOs under section 232 of the Housing Act 2004.
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Check a Portsmouth property →What are the licensing requirements for Portsmouth?
Mandatory licensing in Portsmouth
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Portsmouth (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 Portsmouth?
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.
Portsmouth operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Portsmouth?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Portsmouth does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing: 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2028, covering Baffins, Central Southsea, Charles Dickens, Copnor, Cosham, Drayton and Farlington, Eastney and Craneswater, Fratton, Hilsea, Milton, Nelson, Paulsgrove, St Jude and St Thomas.
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?
Portsmouth City Council takes HMO licence applications on its online licensing portal at hmolicensing.portsmouth.gov.uk. The council also offers face-to-face appointments on 023 9284 1659. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence | £1,257 (New application, 5-year licence (up to 5 bedrooms)) |
Fees as published by the council, verified 8 October 2026; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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Portsmouth Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Portsmouth operate?
Portsmouth operates additional licensing (1 September 2023 to 31 August 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. Mandatory licensing has applied since 2006 to HMOs of five or more people. Portsmouth has no selective licensing scheme.
Do all properties in Portsmouth need a licence?
No. Portsmouth has no selective licensing scheme, so an ordinary single-household let does not need a licence. HMOs of three or four people from two or more households need an additional licence, and HMOs of five or more need a mandatory licence.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Letting an HMO in Portsmouth without the licence it needs can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property 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 HMO licences on behalf of landlords in Portsmouth through the council’s online portal, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Portsmouth property licence?
Apply for a Portsmouth HMO licence through the council’s online licensing portal, which replaced the old system and needs a new account for first-time applicants. Existing licence holders reset their password. The council’s HMO licensing team is on 023 9284 1659 or hmo.licensing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. You can also use a managed service such as Kamma.
Does Portsmouth have selective licensing?
No. Portsmouth City Council does not operate a selective licensing scheme as of 20 October 2026. Its two schemes are additional licensing (1 September 2023 to 31 August 2028) and mandatory HMO licensing.
Why did Portsmouth introduce additional licensing?
Portsmouth City Council’s additional licensing designation took effect on 1 September 2023 and runs to 31 August 2028. It covers the whole city and applies to HMOs of three or four people forming two or more households, which the national mandatory scheme leaves out.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth City Council’s additional and mandatory HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a historic city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England, located on Portsea Island between Portsmouth Harbour and Langstone Harbour. Known for its significant naval base, Portsmouth has a maritime history that dates back to 1194 when King Richard I established it due to its strategic location. The Royal Dockyard, a major employer since 1496, expanded over the centuries and now includes extensive facilities. Although the city was heavily bombed during World War II, it was extensively rebuilt post-war. Portsmouth is a popular tourist destination, with attractions like HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, and the Mary Rose in its dockyard, as well as Southsea Castle and Charles Dickens’ birthplace. Tourism, shipbuilding, and aircraft engineering are key economic sectors. Portsmouth has 14 council wards, and the additional licensing designation covers the whole city.
Licensing Enforcement in Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council enforces two schemes. Additional licensing covers HMOs of three or four people across the city until 31 August 2028, and mandatory licensing covers HMOs of five or more. 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.
