Unlicensed HMOs in Wrexham can lead to prosecution
Property Licensing Guide for Wrexham
Wrexham currently operates additional licensing; mandatory HMO licensing and Rent Smart Wales registration apply 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.
Wrexham Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Wrexham HMO is licensed, Wrexham Council publishes its list of licensed HMOs as a downloadable file, and a copy of the register costs £9. Agents who manage a rented property in Wales also need a Rent Smart Wales licence.
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Check a Wrexham property →What are the licensing requirements for Wrexham?
Mandatory licensing in Wrexham
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Wrexham (and all of Wales) to larger HMOs. These are properties of three or more storeys 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 Wrexham?
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.
Wrexham operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Wrexham?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Wrexham does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing: 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026, covering Acrefair North, Acton and Maesydre, Bangor Is-y-Coed, Borras Park, Bronington and Hanmer, Brymbo, Bryn Cefn, Brynyffynnon, Cartrefle, Cefn East, Cefn West, Chirk North, Chirk South, Coedpoeth, Dyffryn Ceiriog, Erddig, Esclusham, Garden Village, Gresford East and West, Grosvenor, Gwenfro, Gwersyllt East, Gwersyllt North, Gwersyllt South, Gwersyllt West, Hermitage, Holt, Little Acton, Llangollen Rural, Llay, Marchwiel, Marford and Hoseley, Minera, New Broughton, Offa, Overton and Maelor South, Pant and Johnstown, Penycae, Penycae and Ruabon South, Ponciau, Queensway, Rhos, Rhosnesni, Rossett, Ruabon, Smithfield, Stansty, Whitegate and Wynnstay.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of three or more storeys with five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Wrexham Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Additional HMO licence | £898 per property |
| Mandatory HMO licence | £898 per property |
Fees as published by the council, verified 20 July 2026; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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Wrexham Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Wrexham operate?
Wrexham Council operates additional HMO licensing across the whole county borough from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026, alongside mandatory HMO licensing. The additional designation ceases on 31 December 2026 unless revoked earlier, so check the council’s HMO page for any replacement. Wrexham has no selective licensing scheme.
Do all properties in Wrexham need a licence?
No. Wrexham has no selective licensing scheme, so a Wrexham Council licence is needed only for an HMO. Mandatory licensing applies to an HMO of three or more storeys shared by five or more people. Additional licensing covers HMOs below that threshold across the county borough until 31 December 2026. Landlords and agents in Wales must also register or hold a licence with Rent Smart Wales.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
If a Wrexham HMO that needs a licence has none, the person managing or controlling it commits an offence under the Housing Act 2004 and can be prosecuted and fined with no upper limit. A tribunal can also order the landlord to repay up to 12 months of rent. A landlord who is not registered with Rent Smart Wales, or who has no licence and does not use a licensed agent, can receive a fixed penalty notice of £150 or £250 or be prosecuted, and cannot serve a valid possession notice. A letting agent who manages the property can be prosecuted in its own right.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Wrexham, and many manage the full process. The council’s stated target is 70 calendar days, and an application is not approved by default if the council has not replied.
How do I apply for a Wrexham property licence?
You can apply for a Wrexham HMO licence through Wrexham Council’s website (licensing pages) or by email to healthandhousing@wrexham.gov.uk. A decision can be appealed to the Residential Property Tribunal Wales within 28 days. You can also use a managed service such as Kamma.
Does Wrexham have selective licensing?
No. Wrexham Council does not operate selective licensing. It licenses HMOs under the mandatory scheme and the additional scheme that runs to 31 December 2026.
When did Wrexham introduce additional licensing?
Wrexham Council’s Executive Board approved the current additional licensing scheme on 21 September 2021. It took effect on 1 January 2022, covers the whole county borough, and ceases on 31 December 2026 unless revoked earlier. It applies to HMOs that mandatory licensing does not cover.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Wrexham?
Wrexham’s HMO licence conditions are published on the council’s HMO licensing page. The council states that breaching licence conditions or management regulations is punishable by an unlimited fine.
About Wrexham
Wrexham Council licenses HMOs under the Housing Act 2004. Its Executive Board approved the current additional licensing scheme on 21 September 2021, covering the whole county borough from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026. A Wrexham HMO licence runs for 5 years, or 1 year on request.
Licensing Enforcement in Wrexham
Wrexham Council is the licensing authority for HMOs in the county borough. Its HMO page says operating an unlicensed HMO, exceeding occupancy limits, or breaching licence conditions or management regulations is punishable by an unlimited fine. A tribunal can also order a landlord to repay up to 12 months of rent. A landlord who lets without Rent Smart Wales registration can receive a fixed penalty notice of £150 or £250 or be prosecuted. Where a letting agent manages the property, the agent can be prosecuted in its own right. In 2019/20 the council took 12 formal enforcement actions on HMOs, including 1 prosecution (Wrexham.com, 16 September 2021).
