Gloucester landlords, since the 21st of September 2026 the council has operated an Additional HMO Licensing scheme across Gloucester. The designation was made on the 9th of June 2026 and runs until the 20th of September 2031.
The scheme is not limited to particular wards. What decides whether a licence is needed is how the property is occupied, not where it sits.
What Is Changing in Gloucester?
The scheme requires a licence for an HMO occupied by three or more people from two or more households who share facilities, unless an exemption applies.
If a property is already licensed under the national mandatory scheme, nothing changes for it.
The Part the Announcement Left Out
The council's launch press release does not mention section 257 HMOs. The designation includes them.
A section 257 HMO is, broadly, a building converted into self-contained flats where the conversion did not meet the building regulations in force at the time and still does not, and where fewer than two thirds of the flats are owner-occupied.
So some converted blocks need a licence even though they were never mentioned in the announcement.
For a converted block, check three things:
- was the building converted into flats
- did the conversion fall short of the building regulations of its day, and does it still
- are fewer than two thirds of the flats owner-occupied
If the answer to all three is yes, the building needs a licence.
If you manage a converted block in Gloucester, read the designation rather than the announcement.
Important Exemptions Landlords Need to Understand
The designation exempts HMOs already licensed under the mandatory scheme, properties under an interim or final management order, properties with a temporary exemption notice in force, buildings excluded by Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004, and anything else exempt from licensing under the Act.
The Fees
Gloucester's HMO licence fees from the 1st of April 2026:
| Fee | |
|---|---|
| --- | --- |
| New licence, up to 5 years | £1,260 |
| Renewal, up to 5 years | £900 |
The council ran a reduced fee of £1,060 for new applications under the additional licensing designation received before the 21st of September 2026. That discount period has closed.
Fees are set by the council and subject to change, so confirm the current figure before applying.
Why This Matters
Letting a property that should be licensed is an offence. That can mean prosecution, or a financial penalty of up to £40,000 per property since the 1st of May 2026. Rent repayment orders can run to 24 months' rent. An agent collecting the rent or managing the property can be subject to enforcement action too.
There is one point in the designation worth knowing if you have not applied yet. You do not need to hold the licence. You do need to have submitted a valid application. Once a valid application is in, the property can continue to operate while the council processes it.
So no, this is not a minor admin issue. But it is fixable today in a way it will not be in three months.
What Landlords Should Do Now
1. List every Gloucester property with three or more occupants from two or more households
2. Check every converted block against the section 257 criteria
Three questions, above.
3. Apply for anything caught that does not already hold a mandatory licence
4. Keep the submission confirmation
A valid application is what protects you while the council processes it.
Why Landlords Get This Wrong
- "The council's announcement didn't mention converted blocks." It didn't. The designation does.
- "It's self-contained flats, so it isn't an HMO." Section 257 exists precisely for that case.
- "We're waiting for the licence before we can let it." You need a valid application, not the licence itself.
- "My managing agent must have done it."
How Yuno Can Help
Yuno helps landlords, agents and property managers deal with licensing properly. We can help you:
- identify which Gloucester properties are caught, including converted blocks
- work through the section 257 test on a specific building
- prepare and submit the application
- review your documents and compliance position
If you would like our team's support with your licence application, we can apply on your behalf or help you through the process. Feel free to book a free 15-minute call.
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What Every Licensing Strategy Should Include
A good licensing approach isn’t reactive, it’s strategic. We help you plan ahead to avoid enforcement notices, fines, and missed rental income. Our support includes:
1. Portfolio Risk Scans
Integrated to CRMs and other tech partners through API. For agents, managers or portfolio landlords, we bulk-scan your property list for licensing or planning issues, and flag risks before they become liabilities.
2. Licensing Checks & Applications
We identify which licences your properties need, and handle the applications for you. No copy-pasting. Everything is tailored, correct, and submitted on your behalf.
3. Planning Review & Assessments
We assess planning constraints too, giving you visibility before you buy, let, or convert. Avoid costly planning breaches.
4. Council Liaison & Evidence Packs
We deal directly with local authorities, submit compliance evidence, and keep you updated with real-time progress.
5. Renewals & Notifications : Never miss a renewal again.
We monitor expiry dates and prompt you before action is needed, integrated into our Yuno platform.
6. Exemptions, Temporary Relief & Support for Appeals
If things go wrong or you inherit a problem, we help you file temporary exemption notices (TENs), gather supporting documentation, and advise on enforcement responses.
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Yuno provides end-to-end compliance support for landlord licensing, HMO certification, Fire, EPC standards, and local authority requirements. Let us handle the hard work - you stay fully compliant.