Check whether a rental property in England needs a landlord licence. Enter a postcode to see selective licensing, HMO, and additional licensing positions for the council area, then verify with the official source.
Use the dedicated pages below if you already know the type of licensing question you are trying to answer. They are designed to move you from broad intent into the right council, guide, or checker path.
Work through occupancy and household questions first, then move into the postcode checker or council page if local HMO licensing may still matter.
Check how council selective licensing schemes can affect standard rented houses and flats in designated areas.
Review when smaller HMOs may need a local additional licence, and how council rules can vary by area.
Type in any postcode in England to match it to the relevant council area.
See whether we currently show selective licensing, additional licensing, or both, alongside fees, dates, and caveats where available.
Where available, results link directly to official council sources so you can confirm the latest position and apply.
The site uses one public coverage model across the homepage, council directory, and map: baseline coverage, detailed coverage, and enhanced research coverage.
296
English councils indexed
All current English local authority districts in the directory.
100
Councils showing local scheme signals
Pages where our current data shows selective licensing, additional licensing, or both.
4
Councils with detailed coverage
The narrower record-led tier: these pages show scheme records, but they are not yet in the enhanced research tier.
140
Councils with enhanced research coverage
The wider richer tier: these pages show source, register, contact, or review context, and some also include scheme records.
The homepage, council directory, map, and updates page all use the same hierarchy.
144 councils currently sit above baseline coverage. 4 are in the narrower detailed-coverage tier, while 140 are in the wider enhanced-research tier, which may also include scheme records.
Baseline coverage
A trust-first council summary with the current public status, verification route, and practical next steps.
Detailed coverage
A council page that currently shows public scheme records such as scheme type, dates, fees, or coverage notes.
Enhanced research coverage
Our richest public page state, combining supporting research signals such as sources, registers, contact details, or review context. It may also include scheme records.
£30,000
Maximum civil penalty per offence
Licensing checks are worth verifying carefully because local scheme breaches can carry serious penalties.
12 months
Rent potentially repayable via RRO (under current law)
Licensing failures can affect due diligence, possession strategy, and rent repayment risk.
Check whether your property may need a licence and move into the council or guide pages that fit your situation.
Move faster from postcode or council to a cleaner licensing summary for new or existing instructions.
Use the site to assess likely licensing exposure before a purchase, refinance, or area comparison decision.
Check whether a property may need a licence and understand where licensing fits into the local picture.
Use the council pages and planned monitoring products to stay close to change across multiple areas.
Use the free tools and premium due diligence route as a faster licensing starting point for files.
Start with the free checker and council pages. Move into the £29 review, the planned £79 due diligence report, or ongoing monitoring only if the decision needs more support.
Free checker
Live now
Check a postcode, open the council page, and use the guides before paying for anything.
Best for: Useful when you want a practical first pass on one property or area.
Delivery: Instant result with council and guide links
Property Licensing Check
Live now
A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.
Best for: Best for landlords, agents, and buyers who want written clarity quickly on one case.
Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days
Licensing Due Diligence Report
Coming soon
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Best for: Best for buyers, investors, agents, landlords refinancing, and conveyancers handling material decisions.
Delivery: Analyst-reviewed report with stronger risk framing
Alerts and monitoring
Coming soon
A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.
Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts
Pro and portfolio monitoring
Coming soon
A stronger monitoring tier for portfolio landlords, agents, and serious investors tracking more areas or assets.
Best for: Best for serious investors, agents, and portfolio landlords who need broader recurring coverage and member-style benefits.
Delivery: Portfolio-oriented monthly monitoring
These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.
Stay informed
Get notified when councils introduce, renew, or change licensing schemes. A useful next step if you are researching an area and want to stay aware of future changes.
Free, occasional updates only. Always verify live requirements on the council website.
These council pages are among those showing early search impressions. Use them to compare how licensing questions vary across local areas.
London Borough of Croydon
London
Detailed scheme records currently shown on this council page.
London Borough of Hackney
London
Detailed scheme records currently shown on this council page.
Tameside
North West
Detailed scheme records currently shown on this council page.
If you are researching an area rather than a single postcode, use these pages to browse council summaries, compare areas, and read the main licensing guides.
Browse all indexed English councils and open the relevant local summary page.
Explore where our current data shows selective or additional licensing across England.
Read practical guides on selective licensing, HMO rules, EPCs, gas safety, and more.
Start with occupancy questions for HMO checks, or use the selective licensing checker for area-based queries.
Free, instant, and designed to point you toward the relevant official council source.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.
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