West Northamptonshire Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for West Northamptonshire
West Northamptonshire currently operates 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.
West Northamptonshire 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.
West Northamptonshire Property Licensing Schemes
West Northamptonshire has no selective licensing scheme, so a licence is needed only for HMOs. The council grants HMO licences for up to 5 years and aims to decide within 26 weeks of application. Applications go through the council’s online portal.
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Check a West Northamptonshire property →What are the licensing requirements for West Northamptonshire?
Mandatory licensing in West Northamptonshire
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across West Northamptonshire (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 West Northamptonshire?
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.
West Northamptonshire operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in West Northamptonshire?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
West Northamptonshire does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing: 24 February 2025 to 23 February 2030, covering 20 wards.
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 West Northamptonshire Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
West Northamptonshire Council charges a two-part mandatory HMO fee (2025/26):
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO | £1,452 base: Part 1 (on application) £628 + Part 2 (on notice of intention to grant) £824, plus £46 per person over 5. |
Fees are set by the council and can change. Check West Northamptonshire Council’s fees and charges schedule for the latest figures.
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West Northamptonshire Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does West Northamptonshire operate?
West Northamptonshire Council operates additional HMO licensing from 24 February 2025 to 23 February 2030. It also applies the national mandatory HMO scheme. It has no selective licensing scheme.
Do all properties in West Northamptonshire need a licence?
No. West Northamptonshire has no selective licensing scheme, so most privately rented homes do not need a licence. Mandatory licensing covers HMOs of five or more people across the council area. Additional licensing covers HMOs of three or four people in the designated area.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating a licensable property without a licence in West Northamptonshire can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. 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 West Northamptonshire. The council’s licence holder and manager must pass its fit and proper person test.
How do I apply for a West Northamptonshire property licence?
Apply for a West Northamptonshire HMO licence on the council’s online licensing portal. Part 1 of the fee is paid with the application. Part 2 is due within 14 days of the notice of intention to grant. You can also use a managed service such as Kamma.
Does West Northamptonshire have selective licensing?
No. West Northamptonshire Council runs no selective licensing scheme as of 20 October 2026. Its licensing covers HMOs under the mandatory and additional schemes.
Why did West Northamptonshire introduce additional licensing?
West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet approved the current additional scheme on 19 November 2024 to improve the safety, condition and management of HMOs in designated areas. It started on 24 February 2025 and covers HMOs of three or four people in two or more households.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in West Northamptonshire?
West Northamptonshire Council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About West Northamptonshire
West Northamptonshire Council was formed in 2021 from Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire. Northampton, Daventry, Brackley and Towcester are its main towns.
The council’s additional licensing scheme replaced a 2020 to 2025 scheme. The current scheme runs from 24 February 2025 for 5 years. It covers the earlier area plus further parts of Northampton and Daventry. Wards are shown on the council’s Additional Licensing Area 2025-2030 map.
Northampton wards in the earlier scheme included Castle, Abington and Phippsville, Kingsthorpe North and Kingsthorpe South.
Licensing Enforcement in West Northamptonshire
West Northamptonshire Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. 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.
