Coventry HMO Licence Documents: What You Need for Your Application

The Document List

Coventry City Council requires the following documents uploaded to the online portal when you submit your HMO licence application. Missing any one of these triggers a rectification notice and delays your application.

Proof of identity: a clear scan of a valid passport or driving licence photocard for the named licence holder.

Gas Safety Certificate: a current annual inspection from a Gas Safe registered engineer covering all gas appliances in the property. This needs renewing every year throughout the licence term.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): an inspection report showing satisfactory status, carried out within the last five years. The EICR covers the fixed wiring in the property — it's separate from PAT testing.

Fire alarm inspection certificate: a formal commissioning and test certificate for the automated fire detection system.

Emergency lighting certificate: a BS 5266 inspection certificate, required where emergency escape lighting is installed. The certificate is not required where no emergency lighting is installed.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): must meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). As of 2026, you can't let a property with an EPC rating below E (though tightening to C is under discussion for the future).

PAT certificate: Portable Appliance Testing records for any landlord-supplied electrical goods over one year old. This covers appliances you provide — kettles, washing machines, cookers, anything with a plug.

Dimensional floor plans: accurate drawings showing room layout, intended room uses, and exact floor areas in square metres. This is the document landlords most commonly get wrong.

Getting Floor Plans Right

Council inspectors use your floor plans to verify room sizes against the licensing spatial standards. The plans need to show:

• Each room clearly labelled by use (bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, communal lounge)
• Room dimensions with floor areas calculated in square metres
• Any area where floor-to-ceiling height drops below 1.5 metres (excluded from the floor area calculation)
• Locations of smoke detectors, heat detectors, and fire doors
• Socket and switch positions
• Basic furniture layout showing how the room will be used

You don't need an architect — a clearly drawn plan with accurate measurements is enough. Measure with a laser measure or long tape, and check the applicable Coventry standard: with separate living space, 6.51–10.21 m² for a single and at least 10.22 m² for a double; without separate living space, 10.00–14.99 m² for a single and at least 15.00 m² for a double.

Planning Evidence for Article 4 Wards

If your property sits within one of Coventry's 11 Article 4 wards — Cheylesmore, Earlsdon, Foleshill, Lower Stoke, Radford, St Michael's, Sherbourne, Wainbody, Whoberley, Westwood, or Upper Stoke — you need planning evidence showing the property is lawfully operating as an HMO.

For properties established as HMOs before 30 September 2023: historical tenancy agreements, Council Tax student exemption records, or a Lawful Development Certificate.

For properties converted after that date: a full Planning Decision Notice granting change of use from C3 (dwelling) to C4 (small HMO).

Interested Parties Notice

Before submitting, you must have sent written notice of the pending application to all interested parties: joint freeholders, mortgage lenders, superior landlords, leaseholders, and managing agents. The portal requires their full contact details.

For a document assembly checklist and floor plan specification guide, see our Coventry Landlord Licensing Guide.

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