When does an HMO need a licence in Eastbourne?

Nationally, a property let to 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households and sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet must hold a mandatory HMO licence — this applies in Eastbourne as in every English council. Some councils also run additional or selective schemes covering smaller HMOs; none are in our records for Eastbourne, but verify with the council as schemes change.

What are the minimum room sizes for a licensed HMO?

A mandatory HMO licence enforces national minimum sleeping-room floor areas: 6.51 m² for one person over 10, 10.22 m² for two people over 10, and 4.64 m² for a child under 10. A room below 4.64 m² cannot be used for sleeping. These are national statute and apply in Eastbourne.

Eastbourne · HMO Licensing

HMO Licensing in Eastbourne

Mandatory licence threshold, local schemes in our records, and statutory minimum room sizes. Verify with the council before relying on it.

Mandatory HMO licence

5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households. Any HMO occupied by five or more people making up two or more separate households (sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet) must hold a mandatory HMO licence. This applies in every council in England, regardless of the number of storeys. In force since 1 October 2018. Apply for a licence via GOV.UK.

Additional & selective licensing in Eastbourne

No additional or selective HMO licensing schemes in our records for Eastbourne. This is not confirmation that none apply — councils introduce and renew schemes regularly. Check current designations with the council or the GOV.UK licence finder ↗ before relying on it.

Do you need planning permission?

No HMO Article 4 direction in our records for this borough. Where no direction applies, converting a home to a small HMO (C4, up to six occupants) is usually permitted development — but coverage can be incomplete, so verify with the council before relying on this. Check Article 4 directions in Eastbourne before assuming permitted development applies.

Minimum sleeping-room sizes

National statute a mandatory licence must enforce (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions of Licences) (England) Regulations 2018):

One person aged over 10	6.51 m²
Two people aged over 10	10.22 m²
One person aged under 10	4.64 m²
Any sleeping room	≥ 4.64 m²

Licensed HMOs must provide adequate, well-located cooking, washing and toilet facilities for the number of occupants, plus safe gas/electrics, working fire detection and proper waste storage. The exact ratios (occupants per bathroom, per WC, kitchen size) are set by each council in its own HMO amenity standards — confirm the figures with the borough before committing to a scheme.