HMO Licence Cost in Bradford: 2026 to 2027 Fees and the Four Discounts
Bradford Council charges £1,625.05 for an HMO licence for five to seven occupiers in 2026 to 2027, £1,706.32 for eight to 14 and £1,787.56 for 15 or more. You pay a non-refundable initial fee with the application and an invoice for the balance later, which takes account of up to four discounts worth 5 to 15 percent each. That makes Bradford dearer than its neighbours on paper, but it rewards a property that passes inspection. This guide sets out the fees, the discounts and what the council expects of a licensed HMO.
In this guide
Bradford HMO licence fees 2026 to 2027 The four discounts Who needs a licence and how to apply Bradford's HMO standards Penalties Worked example: a six-bed HMO near the university Frequently asked questions SourcesBradford HMO licence fees 2026 to 2027
| Occupiers on the licence | Initial fee with the application | Balance on grant | Full cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 to 7 | £585.01 | £1,040.04 | £1,625.05 |
| 8 to 14 | £614.27 | £1,092.05 | £1,706.32 |
| 15 or more | £643.52 | £1,144.04 | £1,787.56 |
Bradford Council, "HMO licence fees 2026-2027", read 3 October 2026. The balance column is the full cost less the initial fee, before discounts.
The council says the fees are set for the current financial period and rise in line with inflation each year, which explains the pence. At full cost a five-bed HMO is £325 a year over five years, against £195 in Leeds next door. Bradford's discounts narrow the gap, and the national HMO licence guide shows where it sits nationally.
The four discounts
| Discount | Rate | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Full and complete application | 5% | Every document and the correct initial fee at the first attempt |
| Owned or managed by a registered charity | 5% | Charity ownership or management |
| Unipol Code of Standards (Bradford) accreditation | 5% | Membership of the accreditation scheme |
| Property assessed as up to standard | 15% | The inspection finds the property meets the council's standards |
Bradford Council fee page, read 3 October 2026. The council applies discounts when it invoices the balance; its page does not say whether the percentage is taken from the full cost or the balance.
The 15 percent for a property assessed as up to standard is the one that matters, and it is within the landlord's control: fit the fire doors, alarms and amenities before the inspection rather than after it. The complete-application 5 percent is the easiest. Most landlords who are not charities can reach 25 percent with accreditation; a charity could reach 30.
Who needs a licence and how to apply
A mandatory licence is needed for an HMO occupied by five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities, wherever it is in the district. The fee is based on the proposed number of occupants on the licence, so decide the maximum before you apply: licensing for seven when you might let to eight puts you in the wrong band.
- Check the public register of HMO licences to see if the address is already licensed.
- Pay the initial fee through the council's online payment facility. The council will not accept or process an application without the full and correct initial fee, and the initial fee is non-refundable.
- Submit the application with every supporting document, to qualify for the 5 percent complete-application discount.
- Receive an invoice for the balance, after discounts, before the full licence is issued.
The council's housing standards team, based at Britannia House in Bradford, handles HMO enquiries. Price the supporting certificates with the certificate cost calculator.
Bradford's HMO standards
Bradford says every HMO must meet standards on safety, size, amenities, fire precautions, means of escape and state of repair. It publishes its own Amenity Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation covering personal washing facilities, kitchen facilities and space standards, and a separate fire safety page. Read both before buying, because a shortfall in bathrooms or kitchen space is the most expensive thing to fix. On top of the local standards, every licence applies the national minimum bedroom sizes: 6.51 square metres for one person over 10, 10.22 square metres for two, and 4.64 square metres for a child under 10.
The usual certificates apply: an annual gas safety check, an EICR every five years, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and an EPC.
Penalties
Letting a licensable HMO without a licence is an offence under section 72 of the Housing Act 2004. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026 the maximum civil penalty is £40,000, and tenants can apply for a rent repayment order of up to 24 months' rent. Yorkshire and the Humber is called forward to the landlord database on 15 April 2027, and any penalty will be recorded there. See the landlord fines guide.
Worked example: a six-bed HMO near the university
A landlord licenses a six-bed HMO for six occupiers: initial fee £585.01, full cost £1,625.05. The application is complete (5 percent), the landlord is Unipol accredited (5 percent) and the property passes inspection (15 percent). If the 25 percent were taken from the full cost, the licence would cost £1,218.79, about £244 a year over five years; ask the council how it applies them. Either way the inspection discount alone is worth about £244 on this licence, more than the cost of most minor fixes. Add the fee to the rental yield calculator and the expiry to the compliance calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an HMO licence in Bradford?
For 2026 to 2027, £1,625.05 for five to seven occupiers, £1,706.32 for eight to 14 and £1,787.56 for 15 or more, before discounts. Fees read on the council's website on 3 October 2026.
What discounts does Bradford offer on HMO licences?
5 percent for a full and complete application, 5 percent for a registered charity, 5 percent for Unipol Code of Standards (Bradford) accreditation and 15 percent if the property is assessed as up to standard.
Is the Bradford initial HMO fee refundable?
No. The initial fee, from £585.01, is non-refundable and must be paid in full before the council will process the application.
Where are Bradford's HMO standards?
The council publishes Amenity Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation covering washing, kitchen and space standards, and a separate fire safety page. National minimum bedroom sizes apply on top.
Do Bradford HMO fees go up every year?
The council says its fees are set for the current financial period and will increase in line with inflation each year, so check the fee page in the year you apply.
Sources
Bradford Council: HMO licence fees 2026-2027 and Standards and requirements for a HMO, both read 3 October 2026. Legislation: Housing Act 2004 section 72, Licensing of HMOs (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018, Mandatory Conditions of Licences Regulations 2018, Renters' Rights Act 2025 Part 4 and GOV.UK on HMO licensing. See the methodology.