Landlord guide for Brighton & Hove

Landlord licensing and compliance reference for Brighton & Hove (Brighton & Hove City Council, South East; population ~277,000).

Licensing position

Brighton & Hove operates additional HMO licensing city-wide and selective licensing in named central wards.

• Additional HMO licensing covers all HMOs of 3 or 4 people from 2+ households across the whole city.
• Selective licensing applies in specific designated wards.
• Mandatory 5+ person HMO licensing applies UK-wide.
• Article 4 Direction limits new HMO conversions across much of the city.

Local notes

• University of Sussex + Brighton + language schools drive HMO and short-let demand.
• Tight Article 4 controls make new HMOs hard to add.

Indicative Brighton PRS rent (2025) ~£1,700/month for a 2-bed.

Council licensing page: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/housing/private-housing/private-landlords

Reference data only — always confirm the current scheme on the council's own page.