Sunderland HMO Register: How to Check Licensed Properties and What the Register Shows

Sunderland City Council is legally required to maintain a public register of all licensed HMOs in the city under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004. The register is a useful tool for tenants checking whether their landlord holds a valid licence, for landlords verifying their own records, and for prospective buyers assessing a property's compliance history. But it has some important limitations.

What the Register Contains

Each entry on Sunderland's public HMO register includes:

• The property address
• The licence number
• The licence holder's name and contact address
• The appointed property manager's details
• The date the licence was granted
• The licence expiry date
• The maximum number of occupants and households permitted

This gives a snapshot of the property's licensing status at the time the register was compiled or last updated.

How to Access the Register

There are two routes:

In-person inspection — You can view the physical register by appointment at City Hall. This is free under the council's statutory duty to make the register available for public inspection.

Electronic copy — You can request a digital copy of the register from the licensing team. This costs £80 in 2026/27 (up from £77.50 in 2025/26). The council sends it as an electronic file.

There is no live, searchable online database that lets you type in an address and check licensing status in real time. To verify a specific property, you either inspect the register in person, request the electronic copy, or contact the licensing team directly via [email protected] or 0191 520 5555.

What the Register Doesn't Tell You

A property appearing on the register isn't necessarily still licensed. The register records licences that were granted, but entries may be historical — the licence could have expired, or it could have terminated when the property was sold (HMO licences are non-transferable and lapse on change of ownership).

Conversely, a property not appearing on the register doesn't mean it's exempt from licensing. It might mean the landlord hasn't applied. Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is a criminal offence under Section 72(1) of the Housing Act 2004, carrying penalties of up to £40,000.

For Tenants Checking a Property

If you're a tenant renting a room in what appears to be a shared house with five or more people from two or more households who use it as their only or main residence and share or lack a basic amenity, and the property doesn't appear on the register, that's a potential red flag. You can report concerns about unlicensed HMOs to Sunderland City Council's housing enforcement team. Tenants in unlicensed properties may also be eligible for rent repayment orders covering up to 24 months of rent.

For Landlords Managing Compliance

If you hold a mandatory HMO licence, confirm that your details on the register are correct. Report any errors — particularly around the property manager or maximum occupancy — to the licensing team, as discrepancies could trigger enforcement queries during routine register audits.

The Sunderland Landlord Licensing guide covers how to verify your property's register status as part of the broader compliance workflow, alongside the licence variation process if your details need updating.

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