Southampton has active HMO controls in parts of the borough.
Southampton sits geographically next to Portsmouth and applies a similar two-track standard. Bedroom minima are national-baseline (6.51 / 10.22 m²) when a separate communal living room exists, but jump significantly without one — 10 m² (1 person) and 14 m² (2 persons over 10). Kitchen scales per-band: 7 m² up to 5 occupants, 8 m² for 6-7, 9 m² for 8-9, 10 m² for 10. The 2016 SPD adds a 10% concentration / sandwiching test for planning applications and defines outdoor amenity space minima (50 sqm terraced, 70 sqm semi, 90 sqm detached).
Permitted development rights from C3 to C4 may be removed in specific areas of Southampton. Check the council's Article 4 map against your target address.
Additional licensing applies in designated parts of the council area. Check whether the target address falls within scope.
Any HMO occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households requires a mandatory HMO licence from the council. Fines for unlicensed operation can exceed £30,000.
Standard national minimum bedroom sizes from the HMO Management Regulations 2018 apply.
These ratios are the council's expected baseline. Larger HMOs may need additional bathrooms and kitchen facilities — plan for at least one bathroom per 4–5 tenants in 6-bed schemes.
Council policy mandates either a dedicated living room (≥11.5 m² for 3-5 persons, ≥13 m² for 6+), OR a combined living space ≥11.5 m² (3-5) / ≥13 m² (6+). Upload your floor plan to verify your layout meets this.
Enter your candidate postcode in Southampton (or anywhere else in the UK) and we’ll surface the precise licensing and Article 4 status that applies to that address.