Landlords in Leicester deal with Leicester City Council for licensing, planning and housing standards. We keep those three in view together, so a layout that suits the licence also works for planning and building control.
We'll tell you plainly if a house in Leicester isn't suited to the number of rooms you have in mind, and what it would take to make it work.
HMO rules in Leicester City Council
| Rule | Leicester City Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | None found |
| Selective licensing | In part of the area Parts of Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, Fosse, Westcotes, Stoneygate and Saffron, 10 October 2022 to 9 October 2027 |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In part of the area Several areas of the city, including Westcotes, Clarendon Park and the centre, first in force 20 August 2014 and since extended |
Checked October 2026. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Leicester City Council's Article 4 direction covers several areas of the city, including Westcotes, Clarendon Park and the city centre. Whether a house in Leicester needs planning permission to become a small HMO depends on whether it is inside that boundary, which we check for the exact address. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. We found no additional licensing scheme in force in Leicester City Council, so the mandatory licence for five or more people is the main one to plan for.
HMO conversions for Leicester landlords
Our HMO conversion work in Leicester starts with a measured survey and a check of the planning and licensing rules that apply to the street. We design the room layout, shared facilities and escape route around those rules, then price the agreed specification in an itemised written quote.
Two houses in Leicester that look alike from outside can give different room counts once the kitchen, stairs and bathrooms are measured. We give you a realistic number early, then build across Leicestershire with our own team and vetted subcontractors under a single contract.
- Planning use class and Article 4 check for the address
- Certificates, floor plans and photos handed over for licensing
- Building control application and sign-off where required
- Fire protection and escape route specified to the risk
- Measured survey of every room and shared space
Letting to students and sharers in Leicester
Leicester is close to a university or college campus, so students and young professionals are part of the local rental market. If that is your market, layouts with en-suites, a generous kitchen and secure bike storage are worth planning in from the start.