Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
North West
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageOur current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.
Selective licensing
Proposed scheme notedAdditional HMO licensing
Active additionalMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- Medium
- Boundary confidence
- High
- Public register
- No clear public route found
- Last reviewed
- 28 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 4
Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.
Recommended next step
Confirm the detail before you rely on it
Our current data gives a useful starting point, but the area match or scheme detail may need confirming. Verify on the official council source, or get a written check if you want a documented answer.
What still adds uncertainty
- Proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and could change the position before or after they start.
- Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.
Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.
Verify with the council
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.
Council updates
Get updates for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
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.
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If you need more than the council page
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.
Licensing Due Diligence Report
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A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
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A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
See alerts and monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Local licensing scheme records
Selective LicensingExpired
Previous Selective Licensing Schemes (5 schemes)
- Scheme period
- Start date not shown - 1 May 2022
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Infirmary, Griffin, Darwen area, and other areas (exact wards not confirmed)
Research notes
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.
Selective LicensingProposed
Hollins Bank Selective Licensing Scheme
- Licence fee
- £724
- Fee guide
- £724
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Ewood, Mill Hill and Moorgate, Blackburn Central (small area)
Research notes
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.
Public licensing register
Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.
- Public register found
- No clear public route found
- Search method
- No public search route found
- Register usability
- No clear public route found (5/5)
Register appears to cover
HMOAdditional (unconfirmed)
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
We do not yet show a direct public register link for this council.
The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.
Research summary
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
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01254 585457
Important to verify
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Mandatory HMO licensing
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.
Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
- HMO fee guide
- £900
- Fee notes
- £900
- Start date shown
- 1 October 2018
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 licence can carry an unlimited fine on prosecution. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. 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.
Other compliance requirements
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
- EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
- Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
- Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts
Common questions about licensing in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council?
- Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council currently operates additional HMO licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
- How much does a property licence cost in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council are approximately: Hollins Bank Selective Licensing Scheme: £724; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £900. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
- Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council?
- Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.
Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you
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.