Landlord licence fees East Suffolk 2026

East Suffolk does not publish its mandatory HMO licence fee online. Based on comparable district councils in the East of England it is likely to fall in the £800–£1,100 range for a five-year licence, but you should confirm the current amount with East Suffolk Council’s Private Sector Housing Team before applying.

No. As of early 2026 East Suffolk has not designated any selective licensing area (which would cover ordinary single-family lets) or additional HMO licensing scheme (which would cover smaller HMOs). Only mandatory large-HMO licensing — five or more occupants in two or more households — applies. Always check the council site for changes.

Any house or flat occupied by five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. The number of storeys is irrelevant since the 2018 reform. A licence is required before the property is let as a large HMO; letting an unlicensed licensable HMO is a civil-penalty offence.

Letting a licensable HMO without a licence is an offence carrying a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per property (or prosecution), and tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 12 months’ rent. A missing licence can also block a Section 8 possession claim.

HMRC generally treats a landlord HMO licence fee as a deductible rental-business expense for income tax where the licence is required to let the property. If the fee spans more than one tax year you may need to apportion it. Check with your accountant for your circumstances.