York Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for York
York currently operates additional licensing in 8 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.
York is in the Yorkshire and the Humber registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 April 2027: see how the Yorkshire and the Humber registration window affects letting agents.
York Property Licensing Schemes
Letting agents managing shared homes in York need two facts: whether the property sits in one of the eight additional licensing wards, and how many people live there. Three or four people forming more than one household need a licence inside those wards. Five or more need one anywhere in York.
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 York property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a York property →What are the licensing requirements for York?
Mandatory licensing in York
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across York (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 York?
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.
York operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in York?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
York does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing: 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028, covering Clifton, Fishergate, Fulford & Heslington, Guildhall, Heworth, Hull Road, Micklegate and Osbaldwick & Derwent.
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 York Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
HMO licence fees (2026-27): York charges in two stages. For 3 to 6 occupants the fees are £914 then £610 (£1,524 in total). For 7 to 9 occupants they are £1,067 then £712 (£1,779). For 10 to 14 occupants they are £1,166 then £778 (£1,944). For 15 or more they are £1,312 then £874 (£2,186). Stage two includes a £75 discount for holders of a relevant HMO qualification. Fees rise each 1 April. See the council’s fees page.
We Handle Your York Applications End-to-End
TRUSTED BY LEADING AGENTS & LANDLORDS ACROSS THE UK
Managing Across Multiple Boroughs?
Reduce risk by swapping manual tracking for our licensing compliance platform Kamma Suite.
1 licensing scheme. Know exactly what you need.
York Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does York operate?
York operates additional licensing (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in York need a licence?
No. York has no selective licensing scheme, so most privately rented homes in York need no licence. An HMO with five or more people from more than one household needs a mandatory licence anywhere in York. An HMO with three or four such people needs an additional licence in the eight designated wards.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Letting a York property that needs a licence without one 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 York HMO licences on behalf of landlords, and many manage the full process for their portfolio.
How do I apply for a York property licence?
Apply for a York HMO licence through the council’s online application. The council charges in two stages: the first when it accepts the application as complete, the second when it decides to grant the licence. Fees are on the council’s fees page. You can also use a managed service such as Kamma.
Does York have selective licensing?
No. York has no selective licensing scheme. City of York Council operates additional HMO licensing in eight wards from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028, alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme.
Why did York introduce additional licensing?
City of York Council designated its additional licensing area on 17 August 2022 and the scheme took effect on 1 April 2023. It covers HMOs of three or four people in eight wards and ends on 31 March 2028. The council says licensing ensures that certain standards are met for the safety of all occupants.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in York?
York’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. The conditions for York additional HMO licences are linked from the council’s application pages.
About York
City of York Council designated its additional licensing area on 17 August 2022. The scheme took effect on 1 April 2023 and covers eight wards: Clifton, Fishergate, Fulford and Heslington, Guildhall, Heworth, Hull Road, Micklegate, and Osbaldwick and Derwent. It applies to HMOs of three or four people forming more than one household where the property is their main home. All other wards have mandatory HMO licensing only.
Licensing Enforcement in York
York 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.
