Liverpool City Council currently charges £1,328 for a new or renewal HMO licence covering up to five accommodation units. Its fee structure uses units or bedrooms, rather than simply the number of occupants. Larger properties attract higher charges. Liverpool City Council’s application and fee page sets out the published amounts. For landlords, understanding that distinction is useful when preparing a budget. The number of people living at the property affects licensing requirements, whilst the council’s fee bands are expressed differently.
Liverpool HMO Licence Fees
The published totals include:
- Up to five units: £1,328;
- Six units: £1,449;
- Seven units: £1,570;
- Eight units: £1,691;
- Nine units: £1,811;
- Ten units: £1,932.
For up to five units, payment is split into a £489.10 non-refundable administration charge when applying and £838.90 requested when the council is ready to grant the licence. Licences can last for up to five years, although shorter licences may be issued. Check the council’s schedule for larger properties and shorter-licence arrangements. View Liverpool’s current HMO fees.
Fees checked as of September 2026. Confirm the current amount before submitting an application.
Which Liverpool Properties Need an HMO Licence?
Mandatory HMO licensing generally applies to rented accommodation occupied by at least five people forming more than one household and sharing facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Specific exemptions and property types need individual consideration. GOV.UK’s HMO licensing guidance explains the general requirements.
A property occupied by fewer people may still be an HMO, even where mandatory licensing does not apply. Liverpool also operates selective licensing in designated parts of the city. Check the exact address and proposed letting arrangement using the council’s selective licensing information. For investors, these checks belong at the start of the purchase process.
Is HMO Licensing the Same as Planning Permission?
No. They are separate matters. Liverpool City Council states that HMOs for seven or more people are subject to planning permission throughout the city. Converting a property to an HMO for three or more people within the relevant Article 4 area also requires planning permission. Existing lawful use can affect the position, so check the property’s history and proposed use with the council or your adviser. Liverpool’s HMO planning guidance explains the requirements and links to the relevant map. Paying a licensing fee does not resolve a separate planning issue.
What Else Should You Budget for Before Letting?
Assess the whole property against the intended occupancy. Liverpool publishes guidance covering the standards and management of HMOs, including accommodation, facilities and safety matters. Review the council’s HMO guidance before planning works. Your property-specific budget may need to include:
- Fire precautions and associated professional assessments;
- Electrical or gas safety work where required;
- Appropriate kitchen and bathroom facilities;
- Heating, ventilation and general repairs;
- Furniture, appliances and room preparation;
- Suitable arrangements for waste and shared areas;
- Professional fees and any relevant permissions.
Obtain written quotations for necessary work. A low purchase price can become less attractive when the property needs substantial improvements before it can be occupied.
How Should You Assess a Liverpool HMO Investment?
Begin with the property’s realistic income and a complete operating budget.
If the property is already occupied, ask for evidence of the actual rents received and any outstanding arrears. Check which bills or services are included and obtain the corresponding costs. If it’s vacant, compare the proposed room rents with genuinely comparable accommodation. Differences in room size, bathrooms, condition, bills and location can all affect the comparison. Then allow for repairs, management and changes of occupier. Even where most rooms remain occupied, one empty room can reduce the income available to cover the property’s costs. Avoid basing your purchase decision solely on the maximum possible rent at full occupancy.
Why Day-to-Day Management Matters
Shared accommodation needs clear arrangements that work for everyone living there. Tenants should know how to report a repair, who to contact in an emergency and what to expect when a contractor needs access. Shared areas also need a defined approach to cleaning, maintenance and waste. For the landlord, accurate records make it easier to track repairs, inspections and required actions. A problem raised by one tenant may affect others, so communication should be coordinated. Where the owner lives outside Liverpool, consider who will attend the property when an issue needs to be assessed in person.
Choosing a Property Management Agency in Liverpool
When comparing property management agencies in Liverpool, explain the property type, proposed occupancy and existing licensing position. Ask what the management service includes and which activities are charged separately. Confirm how inspections are recorded, how maintenance is approved and who keeps track of required actions.
Qube’s Liverpool property management service includes support for shared accommodation subject to the property’s individual requirements. Speak to our team so we can discuss the property and establish the appropriate scope of service.
Discuss Your Liverpool Property With Qube Residential
If you’re looking to buy to let in Liverpool, reviewing your current arrangements or looking for a property management agency in Liverpool, contact Qube Residential.
Share the property address, occupancy and your plans so we can discuss the management support you need.
