FOI release

Property/HMO Licensing and Article 4 HMO Directions

Case reference FOI2025/01257

Received 27 November 2025

Published 27 November 2025

Request

Please provide the following details relating to your local authority’s property licensing requirements, as currently in force and under consultation: 1. A list of all property licensing schemes operating, and under consultation, within your jurisdiction, including: * Selective licensing schemes * Additional licensing schemes (please specify which apply to properties falling under Section 254 and Section 257 of the Housing Act 2004) * Mandatory licensing schemes for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) * Short-Term Let Schemes or restrictions For each scheme, please supply the following information: * The areas or wards covered * The start/end (or renewal) date for each scheme * Eligibility criteria for properties * Types of properties included under Section 254 and 257 for additional licensing, if relevant * Fee structure and any applicable discounts * The current number of properties licensed under each scheme 2. Article 4 HMO Direction and Short-Term Let Schemes or Restrictions in force and under consultation for: Details of any planning directives Article 4 HMO Direction and Short-Term Let Schemes or Restrictions in force and under consultation, including: · The precise areas they cover - map and list of streets/properties · The date implemented or proposed · Types of properties affected

Response

Please provide the following details relating to your local authority’s property licensing requirements, as currently in force and under consultation:

1. A list of all property licensing schemes operating, and under consultation, within your jurisdiction, including:

        Selective licensing schemes

        Additional licensing schemes (please specify which apply to properties falling under Section 254 and Section 257 of the Housing Act 2004)

        Mandatory licensing schemes for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

        Short-Term Let Schemes or restrictions

For each scheme, please supply the following information:

   The areas or wards covered
   The start/end (or renewal) date for each scheme
   Eligibility criteria for properties
   Types of properties included under Section 254 and 257 for additional licensing, if relevant
   Fee structure and any applicable discounts
   The current number of properties licensed under each scheme

We only have mandatory HMO licensing and are not consulting on or considering any other form of property licensing scheme. The mandatory licensing scheme covers the whole of the borough and has been in place since the Housing Act 2004 was implemented in 2006. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties occupied by five or more people forming two or more households that share amenities such as a bathroom or kitchen.

For a new licence

Occupancy Licence fee

5 - 7 occupants £783

8 or more occupants £875

For licence renewal

Occupancy Licence fee

5 - 7 occupants £675

8 or more occupants £721

We currently have 54 licensable HMO’s.

2. Article 4 HMO Direction and Short-Term Let Schemes or Restrictions in force and under consultation for:

TWBC does not have an Article 4 Direction in place which covers HMO Direction and Short-Term Let Schemes.

Details of any planning directives Article 4 HMO Direction and Short-Term Let Schemes or Restrictions in force and under consultation, including:

·        The precise areas they cover - map and list of streets/properties

·        The date implemented or proposed

·        Types of properties affected

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.