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HMO registers

UK councils keep public information about licensed houses in multiple occupation. There is no single national register that replaces every local list. The table lists the councils we track and links to a public register where we have one. To compare schemes by area, use the HMO licensing map.

Last reviewed 9 November 2026

Councils and their public registers

361 councils. 302 link to the council’s own public register. The rest open on the council page. Counts are from registers we have imported, and they can lag the council’s own list.

Council HMO registers
Aberdeen Cityonline.aberdeencity.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Aberdeenshireaberdeenshire.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Aduradur-worthing.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Amber Valleyambervalley.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Anguslicensing-register.angus.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Antrim and Newtownabbey—
Ards and North Down—
Argyll and Buteargyll-bute.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavonarmaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Aruneh.arun.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

What an HMO licence register is for

Under the Housing Act 2004 framework, local housing authorities in England and Wales licence certain HMOs and keep records of those licences (Housing Act 2004; GOV.UK — HMO licence). Many councils publish a searchable register, PDF list or map pin layer so neighbours, tenants and buyers can see which properties hold a current licence. A register entry is not a valuation, a planning consent, or proof that every room meets today’s amenity guide. It answers “is there a licence on record?” — not “is this house a good buy?”

How to find your council’s register or map

Start with the table above. Where a public register link is shown, it goes to the council’s own page. If that cell is empty:

  1. Identify the local housing authority for the property’s postcode (district, unitary or London borough).
  2. Search that council’s site for “HMO register”, “HMO licence register” or “licensed HMOs”.
  3. Prefer the council’s own page over third-party scrapers.
  4. Note the last updated date. Registers lag renewals and revocations.

Some councils embed a map. Others publish a spreadsheet. If the page is missing or looks stale, ask the council’s private-sector housing team how the public register is published.

What register entries usually include

Expect some combination of:

  • Address (sometimes partial)
  • Licence holder or manager name
  • Licence type (mandatory or additional — wording varies)
  • Maximum occupancy or households
  • Issue and expiry dates
  • A conditions summary, or a way to request the full licence

Absence from a public list does not always mean no licence is required. Some schemes are new, some entries are delayed, and some properties sit under selective licensing instead of HMO licensing (selective rules).

Reporting a suspected unlicensed HMO

If you believe a property should be licensed and is not:

  1. Check the public register first.
  2. Gather plain facts: address, approximate occupants, shared facilities. Do not harass anyone.
  3. Report it through the council’s private rented or HMO enforcement contact.
  4. Keep your own records if you are a tenant asserting rights.

Enforcement powers and penalties sit with the local authority and the courts. AgentHMO does not investigate properties or file reports on your behalf. Related law overview: Housing Act 2004.

Getting a copy of the full register

Where a council publishes only a map or a truncated list, ask whether a full register extract is available under their publication scheme or on request. Fees (if any) and redactions for personal data are set locally — check your council; do not assume a national price. Open-data portals (for example data.gov.uk listings) may mirror a council dataset but can be out of date — prefer the housing authority’s own site.

Registers versus planning and Article 4

A licence does not equal planning permission for C4 / sui generis HMO use. Article 4 directions can remove permitted development rights for changes of use (Article 4 controls; GOV.UK — when is permission required). Buyers should run both licensing and planning checks.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

  • Scotland: HMO licensing is a separate regime via local councils (mygov.scot — HMO licence). See Scotland rules.
  • Wales: HMO licensing sits with Welsh local authorities. Confirm on the relevant council and Welsh Government pages.
  • Northern Ireland: Different housing law. Confirm with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or the local council path that applies. Do not assume an England mandatory-HMO test travels unchanged.

Using register data when you sell or buy

Licence status belongs in the sale documents checklist. Buyers and lenders will ask. A valuation still needs rent and condition evidence (valuation form). Selling without a required licence: selling an unlicensed HMO.

Official sources (as of 9 Nov 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Is there one UK-wide HMO map

No. Registers are local. Some third-party maps scrape councils; treat them as unofficial.

If a house is not on the map, is it illegal

Not necessarily. It may not need a licence, the scheme may not cover it, or the register may lag. Ask the council.

Can AgentHMO confirm a licence for me

No. Use the council register and, if needed, a formal enquiry to the authority.

Does a licence transfer automatically on sale

Usually not. Read does the HMO licence transfer when you sell.