Apply for a licence

Selective and additional HMO licensing schemes require all landlords who privately rent out properties in the designated areas to obtain a licence. This is a legal requirement, giving us powers to regulate landlords and managing agents of private rented properties in a designated area.

Applications for a licence should be made before the start of a new property licence scheme.

Early applications will benefit from a discount.

Any properties that become licensable mid-scheme will need a licence application submitted before a tenant moves in.

Applications for the scheme have been split into two phases. 

Selective and additional HMO licensing areas

Use the postcode checker to find out if a property is in one of the designated areas. 

Additional HMOs are required to have a licence for both phase 1 and phase 2 areas from 1 June 2025.

Check an address

Apply for a licence

If you are a landlord operating within a designated area, you must:

• set up an account from the link below and complete a property licence application
• apply for a licence for each residential property that you rent out within the designated areas
• prove you are a 'fit and proper person' to hold a licence
• demonstrate that you have adequate management arrangements in place
• take action to assist with antisocial behaviour in your properties

All applications for a new licence must be made online and paid in two parts as part of the application process.

Both selective and additional HMO licences last for five years and are not transferable.

If the licence holder is no longer involved in the management of the property, the new manager must apply for a new licence. Licences are not transferable between properties.

During the application process you will be asked to upload gas certificates, proof of electrical checks, tenancy agreements and energy performance certificates.

If you do not have these to hand you can save the application form and return to attach these at a later point in time.

Apply for a licence (opens new window)

Fees, charges and discounts

All property licences are subject to a fee - this is used to cover the administration of the property licensing scheme. Councils cannot make any profit from property licence schemes.

We will ask you to pay for your licence in two parts.

The first part is payable when you make your application.

Your final payment will be taken automatically once we have taken the decision to issue you with a licence.

Find out more about fees and charges.

Exemptions

There are certain circumstances where some types of tenancy are exempt from licensing. Refer to the Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 (opens new window) to access the full list of exemptions.

Temporary exemptions

The Housing Act parts 2 and 3 (opens new window) allows an individual to notify the authority of their intention to take particular steps in order to remove the licence requirement from the property.

The authority may either refuse or grant a temporary exemption notice.

If an exemption is granted, it is for three months.

if the property remains licensable after three months then the person must make an application for a licence.

A person may request a second temporary exemption. The Housing Act (opens new window) only allows this to be granted in exceptional circumstances. This is for three months. This means there is a maximum six month exemption period.

Apply for a temporary exemption (opens new window)

Fit and proper person criteria

Under the The Housing Act (opens new window), the proposed licence holder must declare to us as part of the application process that they are a 'fit and proper' person. 

This includes declaring any cautions issued by the police or convictions of an offence involving any of the following: 

• harassment or illegal eviction of tenants
• assault against another person
• crimes of dishonesty
• offences relating to drugs
• offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 schedule 3 (opens new window)
• any unlawful discrimination on the grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic origin or disability

Public register

All properties which currently have a selective licence can be viewed by request.