Verified · 5 July 2026
Forest of Dean: landlord licensing, explained and verified
Every English council sets its own additional and selective licensing on top of the national HMO rules. This is the current position in Forest of Dean, verified on 5 July 2026. Check any postcode free in 10 seconds with the licence checker.
Mandatory HMO licensing in Forest of Dean
The national rule applies everywhere in England: a house in multiple occupation with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households must be licensed. In Forest of Dean, the standard licence fee is around £1332.51. Letting a licensable HMO without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine.
Additional licensing in Forest of Dean
Forest of Dean currently has no additional licensing scheme on record. Only the national mandatory HMO rules apply to shared houses. Councils can designate new schemes after consultation, so this can change.
Selective licensing in Forest of Dean
Forest of Dean currently has no selective licensing scheme on record, so non-HMO rentals do not need a local licence today. Schemes are designated for 5 years at a time and new consultations appear regularly.
Upcoming licensing changes in Forest of Dean
Phase 2 of Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Private Rented Sector database and landlord ombudsman) expected from late 2026.
What getting it wrong costs
Letting an unlicensed property that needed a licence carries civil penalties of up to £30,000 per property (up to £40,000 for some offences under the Renters’ Rights Act), rent repayment orders of up to 24 months of rent, and you cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice while unlicensed. “I didn’t know” is not a defence.
How fresh is this page?
This page was last verified on 5 July 2026, and we keep it current as schemes and fees change. Rules and fees change (most councils revise fees each April), so always confirm with the council directly before applying.
Licensing in other councils
Every English council sets its own schemes. Fareham · Fenland · Folkestone and Hythe · Fylde · Gateshead · Gedling · or browse all councils A to Z.
Letting in Forest of Dean? Know where every property stands.
SUCASA tracks licensing, gas, EICR, EPC, alarms and deposit protection per property, alerts you before anything expires, and warns you when Forest of Dean changes its rules. Free for your first property.
Check what your properties needFAQ
Do I need an HMO licence in Forest of Dean?
Any HMO with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households needs a mandatory licence. Forest of Dean has no additional licensing scheme on record, so smaller HMOs do not currently need a local licence.
Does Forest of Dean have selective licensing?
No selective licensing scheme is on record for Forest of Dean today, so single lets do not need a local licence. This can change after council consultation.
How much is an HMO licence in Forest of Dean?
The standard mandatory HMO licence fee in Forest of Dean is around £1332.51. Fees are often multi-part or per-bedroom and usually change each April, so confirm on the council page before applying.
How is this information kept up to date?
This data was last verified on 5 July 2026, and we keep it current as schemes and fees change. Landlords on SUCASA get alerted the moment rules change.
Forest of Dean council licensing pages · gov.uk HMO licensing · All councils A to Z