How to Apply for an HMO Licence in Hounslow: Portal Steps and Documents
Hounslow's HMO licence application runs entirely through the council's online portal, and the most common reason applications stall is missing documentation. Gathering everything before you log in saves hours of back-and-forth.
Documents You Need Before Starting
Have these ready as digital files before you create a portal account:
| Document | Standard | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety Certificate | Annual check, Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regs 1998 | Issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer covering all gas appliances |
| Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) | Maximum 5 years validity, PRS Electrical Safety Regs 2020 | Must show a satisfactory classification — no uncorrected C1 or C2 codes |
| Fire Alarm Test Certificate | Annual inspection, BS 5839 | Covers Grade A or Grade D hardwired fire detection systems |
| Emergency Lighting Certificate | Annual test, BS 5266 | Required for complex layouts, common stairwells or section 257 converted blocks |
| Fire Risk Assessment | Written document, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order | Must detail escape routes, compartmentation and alarm coverage |
| Scaled Floor Plans | Current and accurate | Internal room dimensions in m², room use labels, fire equipment locations |
| Tenancy / Management Agreements | Current written agreements | Must reflect actual occupancy and include waste management clauses |
| Landlord Accreditation Certificate | Active membership proof | Only needed if claiming the £99 discount on the base fee |
If you cannot prepare scaled floor plans yourself, the council offers a room measurement service at £32 per room — but you can request this after submission.
The Application Process
Step 1 — Create a portal account. Register on Hounslow Council's licensing portal and search for your property address. The system will show which licensing schemes apply.
Step 2 — Enter contact details and roles. Provide details for the proposed licence holder (usually the property owner), the property manager, the freeholder, any head leaseholder, joint owners and mortgage lenders.
Step 3 — Complete fit-and-proper declarations. Every individual involved in managing the property must declare any criminal convictions (fraud, dishonesty, violence, drugs, sexual offences), housing law breaches, discrimination findings or history of operating unlicensed HMOs.
Step 4 — Enter property specifications. Input room-by-room details: floor area in square metres, sanitary facility counts, kitchen amenities, heating systems and fire safety installations.
Step 5 — Upload documents. Attach digital copies of every certificate and floor plan. Missing uploads are the single biggest cause of applications failing to reach "duly made" status.
Step 6 — Notify interested parties. Before or alongside submission, you must serve formal written notice on freeholders, mortgage lenders and co-owners informing them of the application. Confirm in the portal that you have done this. This is the section 64 notification requirement.
Step 7 — Pay and submit. Pay the licence fee by credit or debit card. The application is not valid until the fee is paid in full.
What Happens After Submission
An application is "duly made" under section 63 of the Housing Act 2004 once the form is complete, required safety certificates are uploaded and the fee is paid in full. The portal generates a payment receipt and an official acknowledgement letter — download and save both.
A duly made application gives you statutory protection under section 72(4): you cannot be prosecuted or fined for operating an unlicensed HMO while the application is pending. This protection does not cover other offences like safety breaches or HHSRS Category 1 hazards.
The council then follows a set process:
- Review and inspection — an enforcement officer checks your documents and may schedule a property visit
- Draft Licence Notice — the council issues a draft licence with proposed occupancy limits and conditions
- 14-day representation window — you can submit written objections to any proposed terms
- Final Decision Notice — the council issues the licence or a formal refusal
- 28-day appeal window — if you disagree, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
Submitting the application and receiving an acknowledgement does not mean the licence is granted. Tacit authorisation does not apply to property licensing in Hounslow.
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Avoiding Common Mistakes
The most frequent problems landlords encounter:
- Uploading an EICR with C1/C2 codes — the report must show a satisfactory classification before submission
- Missing the section 64 notifications — forgetting to notify a mortgage lender creates legal exposure later
- Inaccurate floor plan measurements — the council may cross-check measurements during an inspection; discrepancies can lead to corrected plans or occupancy limits
- Expired safety certificates — all certificates must be valid at the date of submission, not at the date you first obtained them
The Hounslow Landlord Licensing Guide includes a document assembly checklist and a section 64 notification log template, so you can track every requirement before logging into the portal.
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