Property licensing
Everything you need to know about local authority Landlord licensing
Our quick step to step guide to Letting a property with ease
Licensing schemes have been introduced to improve property conditions and management standards. The schemes also help to reduce deprivation and antisocial behaviour (ASB) that is sometimes associated with the private rented sector.
There are two main types of licensing, Private Rented Sector Property Licensing and HMO Management. Landlords and/or property managing
agents letting a property must apply for a license if they fall into one of thelicensing criteria below:
Selective licence
This applies to any rented property, regardless of whether it is an HMO or not. You’ll only need a selective licence if your local authority has introduced a selective licensing scheme and your property is rented and in the selective licensing area. For more infomtion on this please visit your local authrity website and search for Private Landlord Selective licence.
House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
our home is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if both of the following apply:
- at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than 1 household
- you share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants
Your home is a large HMO if both of the following apply:
- At least 5 tenants live there, forming more than 1 household
- You share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants
A household is either a single person or members of the same family who live together. A family includes people who are:
- Married or living together – including people in same-sex relationships
- Relatives or half-relatives, for example grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings
- Stepparents and stepchildren
Mandatory: you will need a mandatory licence anywhere in England if you rent a property as a large HMO. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/private-rentingfor more information.