Directory · 60 councils

Landlord licensing by council

Selective licensing, additional HMO schemes and how to apply - one page per local authority, with the national mandatory HMO rules and a link to the council. Only pages we have verified against a published source are listed.

60 councils

The three kinds of scheme

Mandatory HMO is national in England: 5+ occupiers, 2+ households, sharing an amenity. Additional HMO is a council designation that can pull smaller HMOs into licensing. Selective licensing can cover any privately rented home in a designated area. Wales adds Rent Smart Wales; Scotland uses landlord registration and its own HMO licences.

Related: HMO thresholds after the Renters' Rights Act, the PRS Database, and EPC Band C by local authority.

General information, not legal advice. Schemes change - always confirm designation, dates and fees on the council's own page before applying or assuming you do not need a licence. Each page shows when we last checked it and when it is due for review.

Frequently asked questions

What is the mandatory HMO licence threshold in England?

In England a property needs a mandatory HMO licence if it is occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. That threshold is national - it applies even where the council has no additional or selective scheme.

What is selective licensing?

A scheme under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 that lets a council require a licence for any privately rented property in a designated area - not just HMOs. Coverage can be a few streets or a whole borough, and designations last up to five years.

What is the penalty for letting unlicensed?

Up to £40,000 per offence as a civil penalty (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026), as an alternative to prosecution. Tenants or the council can apply for a rent repayment order of up to 24 months' rent for offences committed on or after 1 May 2026.

Does the Renters' Rights Act change HMO thresholds?

No. The national mandatory threshold in England is still 5 occupiers forming 2 or more households. What changed on 1 May 2026 is enforcement: the maximum civil penalty rose to £40,000 and rent repayment orders can cover up to 24 months' rent.

Track HMO and selective licences beside gas, EICR and EPC.

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