Check the mandatory HMO route first
Large HMOs occupied by at least five people in at least two households, sharing facilities, usually require a mandatory licence in England.
This checker handles ordinary houses only. Flats, converted buildings, resident landlords, statutory exemptions and unusual arrangements need council review. Planning permission is separate.
The local additional records below help with smaller HMOs. They do not replace a mandatory licensing requirement. Start with the people, households, shared facilities and building type.
Official mandatory HMO guidance ↗ · Read the England HMO licence guide
National rule evidence reviewed 2026-10-01.
Reviewed additional HMO records
Each linked record has its own source, period and scope. These dates describe the scheme, rather than the expiry of an individual licence. Check the council’s current application service and fee before applying.
Reading additional HMO licensing
Reading introduced additional licensing on 1 March 2026 for smaller HMOs with three or four occupants forming at least two households.
Area: Borough-wide designation record. Read the notice for the premises and exceptions included.
The published designation ends on 28 February 2031. Section 257 buildings and individual flats have different treatment. This record does not check planning restrictions.
Reviewed · Revision 1
Questions about Reading HMO licensing
Can a three or four person HMO in Reading need a licence?
The published additional HMO records below describe the smaller shared houses included by Reading. Read their occupancy criteria, period and exclusions. A five or more person house may instead meet the national mandatory criteria; people and households are separate facts.
What happens when an additional designation reaches its end date?
The dates below describe the reviewed designation. An announcement or consultation does not establish a successor. Confirm any replacement with the council, and keep the expiry printed on an individual property licence separate from the scheme end date.
Does this page cover flats, converted buildings and exemptions?
The initial checker handles ordinary houses. Flats, converted buildings, resident landlords and a possible exemption require individual council review. Read the record caveat and the full official notice before relying on the occupancy threshold.
Does an HMO licensing result establish planning permission or an existing licence?
No. The result compares entered property facts with available reviewed rules. It does not search for a licence already held, verify its holder or resolve planning requirements. Ask the council about those separate checks.