A landlord-licensing check needs to start with the address and the way the property is occupied. A statement that a city has a scheme is not enough to decide whether a particular home requires a licence. Establish the current position with the local housing authority before relying on a historic article or another landlord’s experience.
Describe the letting
Record the number of occupants, household arrangements and which facilities are shared. Explain whether rooms are let separately and whether the proposed use will change. Give the authority accurate facts rather than choosing a label because it appears to avoid a requirement.
Check different regimes
Government guidance describes selective licensing as a distinct regime from HMO licensing. A property may need consideration under local schemes as well as the national framework. Confirm which scheme applies, the designated area, start and end dates, and any applicable exemption. Licensing and planning permission are separate questions.
Use the current council material
Read the application instructions and relevant designation documents on the council’s website. If a boundary map or address checker is unclear, request clarification and keep the response. A property across a road may be outside a designated area, so a neighbour’s answer should not replace an address-specific check.
Plan the application
Identify the proposed licence holder, supporting documents and person responsible for submitting them. Ask what the authority requires if management or ownership changes. Keep a record of submission and correspondence, and do not assume a payment receipt means a licence has been granted.
Follow the conditions
Read any issued licence and record actions or dates attached to it. Give managing agents and contractors the relevant instructions without distributing unnecessary personal information. Review the position before changing occupation or renewing a letting arrangement.
This editorial checklist concerns England and does not determine whether an individual property needs a licence. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland operate different systems. Obtain council guidance and professional advice where the classification or compliance position is uncertain. Reviewed 30 October 2026.
Source and further reading: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/selective-licensing-in-the-private-rented-sector-a-guide-for-local-authorities/selective-licensing-in-the-private-rented-sector-a-guide-for-local-authorities