If your property requires a licence and your landlord doesn't have one, they're committing a criminal offence. More importantly for you, it means you may be able to apply for a rent repayment order through the First-tier Tribunal, recovering up to 12 months' rent.
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England for properties occupied by five or more people from two or more households in a building of three or more storeys. Many councils also run additional licensing (covering smaller HMOs) and selective licensing (covering all private rented properties in a designated area, regardless of whether they're shared).
You can check whether your property requires a licence by contacting your local council's private sector housing team or searching their online register. If your landlord is operating without a required licence, report it to the council.
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