North West
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
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This page includes the scheme records we currently hold, but council policies and boundaries can change. Treat it as a researched starting point and verify the latest position on the official council pages before acting.
Based on publicly available information, we show the licensing status we currently hold for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, highlight mandatory HMO rules, and link you to official council sources for verification where we currently have them.
Confirm the current scheme boundary, licence fee, exemptions, application route, and any recent policy changes on the council website before making decisions.
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
We research council licensing information from public sources and present it as general guidance. We do not replace the council's own licensing pages or legal advice.
Council updates
We will email you if Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.
This page may already answer a lot of the question. Use the paid products only if you want a quicker written summary, a more risk-focused view, or ongoing monitoring.
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
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.
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Blackburn with Darwen previously introduced five selective licensing schemes. The last of these expired in May 2022, covering areas including Infirmary and Griffin. Following expiry, the council began considering a new scheme.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Consultation ran 7 May 2024 to 26 July 2024 on a proposed scheme covering approximately 1,266 properties on 42 streets in the Hollins Bank area, just outside Blackburn town centre. On 5 March 2025, Cllr Quesir Mahmood (council growth lead) announced the scheme would not proceed. Opposition was driven by concerns that landlords would pass costs to tenants or exit the market, with an estimated 115 households at risk of homelessness if 10% of landlords sold up. The council instead opted to offer advice and support for landlords, provide training, and focus enforcement on rogue landlords. The scheme is classified as 'proposed' as it was consulted upon but not formally designated and subsequently abandoned.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
From 1 October 2018 the scope of mandatory licensing was extended to include all rented properties with 5 or more unrelated people occupying it who share facilities such as a kitchen, toilet or bathroom. Prior to October 2018 licensing only applied to properties of 3 or more storeys. Telephone enquiries are handled between 9:30am and 12 noon Monday to Friday. An Article 4 Direction was introduced in August 2023 borough-wide (urban areas) restricting change of use from family dwelling to HMO, requiring planning permission. Failure to license carries an unlimited fine or civil penalty of up to £30,000. Licence conditions require: valid gas safety record renewed annually, steps to prevent anti-social behaviour, maintenance of property and contents, and attendance at an approved training course by licence holder or manager.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
28 March 2026
Research confidence
Medium (67/100)
Sources checked
4
All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
From 1 October 2018 the scope of mandatory licensing was extended to include all rented properties with 5 or more unrelated people occupying it who share facilities such as a kitchen, toilet or bathroom. Prior to October 2018 licensing only applied to properties of 3 or more storeys. Telephone enquiries are handled between 9:30am and 12 noon Monday to Friday. An Article 4 Direction was introduced in August 2023 borough-wide (urban areas) restricting change of use from family dwelling to HMO, requiring planning permission. Failure to license carries an unlimited fine or civil penalty of up to £30,000. Licence conditions require: valid gas safety record renewed annually, steps to prevent anti-social behaviour, maintenance of property and contents, and attendance at an approved training course by licence holder or manager.
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
Use these routes to move from the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.
Landlord with a standard let→
Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.
Shared occupancy or possible HMO→
Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.
Check if a property has an HMO licence→
Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.
Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→
Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.
Letting agent or portfolio manager→
Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.
Understand additional licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader background on how additional HMO licensing works alongside this council page.
Need the local HMO route→
Use the additional licensing page if the real question is whether a smaller shared house needs a local licence here.
Tenant checking landlord compliance→
Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.
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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