Bracknell Forest: mandatory HMO licensing through the partnership

Start with the shared-facilities test

Bracknell Forest's mandatory HMO route covers properties occupied by five or more people from two or more households who share amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. The statutory tests also cover certain converted buildings and self-contained flats, so a property should be assessed by layout and use rather than by storey count alone.

The partnership handles the application

Private rented housing licensing is delegated to the Public Protection Partnership. Its HMO page provides the application route and says the partnership maintains a public HMO register, but directs people to contact it to view the register rather than exposing a direct current checker. Keep the application, approved plans and register correspondence with the property file.

Fees and local schemes need confirmation

The partnership publishes a 2026-27 fees schedule, but the current HMO fee, any additional-room charge and renewal fee were not safely confirmed in the reviewed material. The current selective and additional licensing position, boundaries, licence term, transfer rules and local rent repayment order policy are also UNVERIFIED - could not confirm on council website. Ask for the amount and scheme route for the exact address before paying.

Planning is a separate gate

A small HMO is generally Use Class C4 and can contain up to six occupants, while seven or more occupants is generally Sui Generis and requires planning permission. An Article 4 Direction may remove permitted-development rights for C3-to-C4 changes. Planning permission and HMO licensing are separate requirements, so check both before converting a dwelling.

Keep the universal compliance file ready

Every Bracknell Forest tenancy still needs annual gas safety, a five-yearly EICR, a valid EPC, deposit protection within 30 days, Right to Rent checks, working smoke and CO alarms and the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet. Current local civil-penalty amounts, Temporary Exemption Notice arrangements and rent repayment order policy remain UNVERIFIED - could not confirm on council website.

Verify current HMO types, fees, applications, the register and planning position via Bracknell Forest Borough Council and the Public Protection Partnership's official pages. Illustrative guide - local schemes and charges change; general information, not legal advice.