Reading introduced additional licensing on 1 March 2026 for smaller HMOs with three or four occupants forming at least two households.
Recorded period: to Borough-wide designation record
The published designation ends on 28 February 2031. Section 257 buildings and individual flats have different treatment. This record does not check planning restrictions.
Confirm the exact address, occupancy, current scheme period and any exemptions with Reading. This guide does not establish whether a licence is already held or whether planning permission is needed.
A reviewed source is evidence for the named record. A successful source refresh does not extend a designation or decide your property’s exemptions.
LANDLORD PRO
Keep the property record ready for the next change.
A free check answers today’s question. Monitoring brings reviewed scheme changes, certificate dates and the supporting documents into a saved property record.
Reviewed rule changes
Follow published changes for supported councils. Partial-area designations still need an exact address check.
Dates and evidence
Record actual licence and certificate deadlines, keep private document versions and export the property evidence.
A small portfolio
Pro is designed for up to ten properties. Proposed pricing is £144 a year or £15 paid monthly, separate from council fees.