Peterborough City Council's city-wide Additional HMO Licensing scheme came into force on 26 January 2026, requiring all HMOs with three or four occupants to be licensed. The council's 26 April 2026 application deadline has now passed and active enforcement action is under way. Penalties of up to ?40,000 apply from 1 May 2026 under the RRA. Landlords who have not yet applied are at immediate risk.
Scheme now in force ? deadline has passed. Peterborough City Council launched an Additional Licensing scheme in January aimed at improving standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation. This means that properties across the city which contain three or more occupants who are not all related will need to be licensed. The scheme covers around 2,000 properties and the council encouraged landlords to apply for a licence before 26 April 2026 to avoid potential penalties. That 26 April deadline has now elapsed, and the council has confirmed enforcement is active.
Penalties and rent repayment orders. It is an offence for a landlord to rent a property in a designated area without applying for a Selective Licence. Landlords with unlicensed rented properties can face a financial penalty notice of up to ?40,000 or an unlimited fine from the court. Landlords could also be ordered to repay up to 24 months' rent. The ?40,000 civil penalty cap reflects the uplift that came into force under the Renters' Rights Act from 1 May 2026.
Fees and application process. The total licence fee is ?1,100: Part A ?588 (application processing, payable at submission) and Part B ?512 (compliance actions, payable before the final licence is issued).
Peterborough City Council is working in partnership with Home Safe, who will support the council in delivering the new scheme. Home Safe already works alongside the council on its Selective Licensing scheme. Applications must be submitted directly through Home Safe.
Scheme runs to January 2031. Additional HMO Licensing came into force on 26 January 2026 and will be in effect until 25 January 2031.
The scheme also includes Section 257 HMOs ? buildings converted into self-contained flats not meeting 1991 Building Regulations where more than one-third of flats are let on shorthold tenancies. Landlords of qualifying converted blocks should check whether their freehold interest triggers a licensing obligation.
Action required
Apply for an Additional HMO Licence immediately via Home Safe if your property houses three or more unrelated occupants. Do not delay ? the deadline has passed and enforcement is now active. Contact additional.licensing@peterborough.gov.uk for guidance.
Effective
2026-01-26
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