Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Knighton we start by measuring every room and checking Leicester City Council's position on licensing and planning, then build the specification around it.
We can keep a photographic record of each stage, which is useful evidence when the council inspects or a buyer's surveyor asks questions later.
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 Knighton 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.
Our HMO fire safety service in Knighton
We carry out HMO fire safety works in Knighton to a written specification taken from the fire risk assessment and the local council's HMO standards. That keeps the work proportionate, because a small two-storey house and a large three-storey one in Knighton rarely need the same measures.
Typical jobs in Knighton include fire doors with self-closers, interlinked alarms, emergency lighting and fire stopping of hidden gaps. Every job across Leicestershire ends with commissioning certificates, photos of concealed work and a logbook for routine tests.
- Specification taken from the fire risk assessment and council standards
- Fire stopping around pipes, cables, hatches and cupboards
- Mains-wired interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Commissioning certificates, logbook and photos of concealed work
- Fire doors fitted with self-closers, seals and correct gaps
Sharer demand in Knighton
Knighton 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.