Selective licence fees, discounts, and exemptions

Find out how much we charge for selective licences in Brighton & Hove, and get information on discounts and exemptions.

Selective licence fees

Fee type Cost
Standard fee £711
Late fee  £807

There is an additional charge for late applications. This will apply if you have been operating your licensable property for more than 28 days without a required licence. You will not be able to get a discount if we charge you a late fee.

How the licence fee is payable

The licence fee is payable in two parts:

  • Part A- covers the costs of processing, administration, and validation of the application.  Part A fees are payable at the time of application.
  • Part B- covers the running costs of the scheme and our other licensing functions. Once we have approved the application, we will email a link to pay the Part B fee. You will be required to pay the balance of the licence fee within 10 working days. We will issue your property licence after we have received the Part B fee.

Terms and conditions

Should the application be refused or rejected by the Council, or withdrawn by the applicant, the part A payment will not be refunded.

Failure to make payment of the Part B fee, or to return required documentation upon request, will result in the application being deemed to be invalid. Under these circumstances, the Council will cancel the application and retain the non-refundable Part A fee. The property will be considered unlicensed. 

Landlords found to be in breach of property licensing requirements may face a financial penalty notice of up to £30,000, or an unlimited fine upon prosecution. You could also have control of your unlicensed properties taken away from you and be ordered to repay up to 12 months' rent to your tenants.

Discounts

Discounted fees are available for licence holders only.

You can't get a discount:

  • on a late fee
  • after you've submitted your licensing application - the discount is only applicable if you meet the criteria at the time of application and not available retrospectively

Accredited landlords or agents with Propertymark membership

You can get £75 discount on your licensing fee if you are:

  • accredited by the ihowz landlord association, national residential landlords’ association or safeagent; or
  • a letting or managing agent with associate membership of Propertymark and only where the agent will be the licence holder.

Energy Efficiency

You can get a £75 discount on your licence fee if:

  • the property’s EPC rating is C or above (or if the ‘potential rating’ is reached when only D or E ratings are achievable) and there is no licence fee discount for F or G.

Charitable Status

You can get a £75 discount on your licence fee if:

  • the owner or landlord is a charity registered with the Charity Commission.

Double discount

If you meet the criteria for more than one of the above discounts, you may be able to get a double discount on your licence fee.

You are only able to apply two discounts to your licence fee, for a maximum discount of £150.

Multi-dwelling licence fee for residential blocks

This licence fee is exclusively available through the Selective Licensing scheme.

It's available when there are multiple flats in the same block and all under the same ownership or management.  In addition, the total number of flats and each one of them must apply to the same licence holder.

From the second flat onwards, a licence fee discount of £50 is applicable.

A further single licence fee discount of £75 is available, from the second flat onwards, if required criteria is met.

A double discount is not available for the multi-dwelling licence fee. 

Exemptions

Exemption from the selective licensing scheme

A landlord or managing agent with a particular type of tenancy or licence to let a property may attract an exemption from the licensing scheme.  But, only for as long as the tenancy or licence to let remains in place.  

Read the legislation on Selective Licensing exemptions. 

Temporary Exemption from licensing

A landlord or managing agent can apply for a temporary exemption notice (TEN) when they are:

  • in control of a property which should have an HMO or Selective licence
  • taking steps to ensure that the property no longer needs to be licensed

You do not need a TEN if your property is empty and unoccupied.

The issuing of a TEN is at the discretion of the council. There are limited reasons why we would allow a TEN.

When issued, a TEN usually lasts three months. It can be extended by 3 months in certain circumstances on request. A TEN can be issued for a maximum of 6 months.

Find out more about Temporary Exemption.