Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Leamington Spa we start by measuring every room and checking Warwick District Council's position on licensing and planning, then build the specification around it.
Work is carried out by S&K and vetted subcontractors working under S&K's supervision, so you contract with one company for the whole project.
HMO rules in Warwick District Council
| Rule | Warwick District Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | In force Whole district, from 18 January 2024 for five years |
| Selective licensing | Not confirmed |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In part of the area The whole of Leamington Spa, since 1 April 2012 |
Checked October 2026 against Warwick District Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Warwick District Council's Article 4 direction covers the whole of Leamington Spa, so turning a family house in Leamington Spa into a small HMO needs planning permission. We check the planning history of the address as part of any licence work. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. Warwick District Council also runs additional licensing across its whole area (from 18 January 2024 for five years), so smaller HMOs with three or four people from two or more households need a licence too.
How we handle HMO fire risk assessment work in Leamington Spa
Shared houses in Leamington Spa 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 Warwickshire commonly expect to see a current assessment, particularly at licence time. We review assessments for houses in Leamington Spa after building work or changes in occupancy, and can price any works the action plan identifies.
- Reviews after building work, layout or occupancy changes
- Written fire risk assessment report for you to keep
- Check of fire doors, alarms and emergency lighting
- Prioritised action plan with a reason for each item
- Advice on the responsible person's ongoing duties
Letting to students and sharers in Leamington Spa
If the house in Leamington Spa is let to students or sharers, up-to-date certificates, measured plans and a current fire risk assessment make any council inspection more straightforward, and they are usually asked for with a licence application.