In Northamptonshire, as everywhere in England, a house with five or more people forming two or more households needs a mandatory HMO licence. Some councils go further with additional licensing or Article 4 directions, as the table shows.
Our work in Northamptonshire ranges from single conversions for first-time landlords to multi-house programmes for investors, all priced in writing before work starts.
HMO rules across Northamptonshire's councils
| Council | Additional licensing | Selective licensing | Article 4 (small HMOs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Northamptonshire Council | None found | None found | In part of the area Kingswood ward in Corby only, since 24 April 2024 |
| West Northamptonshire Council | In part of the area Parts of Northampton and Daventry, 24 February 2025 to 23 February 2030 | None found | In part of the area The whole former Northampton borough, plus the Boughton Rise development |
Checked October 2026. Mandatory licensing for five or more people applies in every council. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for the address before work starts.
Councils in Northamptonshire where we found an Article 4 direction for small HMOs in force, in all or part of their area: North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council. Additional licensing applies in all or part of: West Northamptonshire Council.
How we handle HMO fire risk assessment work in Northamptonshire
Shared houses in Northamptonshire need a fire risk assessment that reflects how the building is actually laid out. We assess the common parts and the escape route from every bedroom, then give you a written report with a prioritised action plan you can act on.
Councils and fire services covering Northamptonshire commonly expect to see a current assessment, particularly at licence time. We review assessments for houses in Northamptonshire after building work or changes in occupancy, and can price any works the action plan identifies.
- Reviews after building work, layout or occupancy changes
- Check of fire doors, alarms and emergency lighting
- Site visit covering common parts and every escape route
- Advice on the responsible person's ongoing duties
- Written fire risk assessment report for you to keep