Houses in multiple occupation

Fees and charges

The following fees and charges apply from 1 April 2025. 

Selective Licensing Fees

This is more information on our Selective Licensing page

Licence fees are paid in two parts:

• Part A:  Paid when you submit your application. This covers the cost of processing and reviewing your application. This fee is non-refundable, even if your application is not successful.
• Part B:  Paid after the Council decides to grant a licence. This covers the ongoing administration, management, and enforcement of the licence.

Applications submitted after the scheme comes into force must pay the higher licence fee.

Please note: We cannot accept your application as valid if it is submitted without payment, or if any information is missing or incorrect.

Fee Type  Part 1 Part 2 Total 
Standard Fee £236.98 £797.92 £1034.90
Higher Rate * (operating unlicensed >12 weeks) £236.98 £1530.42 £1767.40
Surcharge for Paper Application - New Application  N/A N/A £500

Higher Rate Fee

If you’ve been renting out a property for more than 12 weeks without registering with Thurrock for a licence, you’ll be charged the higher application fee by default. However, if you can show that the property only became licensable within the last 12 weeks before you applied, you may qualify for the lower fee instead.

To prove this, you’ll need to provide supporting evidence, such as:

  • a recent Land Registry record, or
  • a signed tenancy agreement dated within the last 12 weeks.

House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing fees

Fees vary depending on the number of rooms that must be assessed. The fee covers:

  • administrative costs
  • inspection work
  • issuing the licence
  • making any variations throughout the duration of the licence

A new application must be submitted if there is a change in licence holder.

New HMO 5-year licence

These fees are for new HMO licence applications. The application fee must be paid by all applicants. The additional licence fee must be paid by applicants who are granted a licence.

Number of rooms Application fee Licence fee
2 to 5 £694 £976
6 to 10 £722 £1,018
11 to 15 £866 £1,059
16 to 20 £855 £1,120
21 to 29 £966 £1,434
30 or more £1,138 £1,637

Renewable HMO 5-year licence

These fees apply when there have been no changes or breaches of management regulations.

Number of rooms Application fee Licence fee
2 to 5 £650 £890
6 to 10 £685 £945
11 to 15 £792 £998
16 to 20 £850 £1,100
21 to 29 £945 £1,305
30 or more £1,033 £1,567

Lapsed HMO licence

These charges apply as an increased rate for a new 5-year HMO licence when a renewal application is not submitted before a property's existing licence expires.

Number of rooms Charge
2 to 5 £1,670
6 to 10 £1,740
11 to 15 £1,925
16 to 20 £1,975
21 to 29 £2,400
30 or more £2,775

Other fees and charges for HMO landlords

Fee or charge Charge
Change of manager £255
Assistance with licensing £85 per hour

Administration fees

Fee type Charge
Additional fee for paper HMO licence applications £108
Invalid HMO licence applications £27
Penalty charge for not returning corrections to an invalid HMO licence application within 14 days £27
Penalty charge for not making licence fee payment within 14 days £54
First reminder letter for new HMO licence applications £27
Second reminder letter for new HMO licence applications £54

Reports not required by law – immigration inspections

The charge below is for providing a report on the suitability of a home to accommodate someone from aboard who is applying to reside in the UK.

Reports Charge
Suitability of a home to accommodate someone from aboard who is applying to live in the UK £228