Do I need a landlord licence in Burnley Borough Council?

Burnley Borough Council currently operates selective 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 Burnley Borough Council?

Based on our current data, licence fees in Burnley Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: Two-part fee (April 2025 - March 2026): Standard applicants pay £546 on application + £396 on granting (total £942 for up to 10 rooms). Additional rooms cost £21 each. GLAS members pay £380 on application + £277 on granting (total £657 for up to 10 rooms). Good Landlord and Agent Scheme (GLAS) accredited holders receive significant discounts: £380 + £277 = £657 total vs standard £546 + £396 = £942 total (saving of £285); Selective Licensing - Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and Leyland Road Area: £715; Selective Licensing - Trinity, Daneshouse, Gannow, Queensgate, Padiham: £750. 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 Burnley Borough Council?

Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Burnley Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Burnley Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.

What happens if I rent without a licence in Burnley 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.

Enhanced research coverage

Landlord licensing in Burnley Borough Council

North West

We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.

Selective licensing

Active selective

Additional HMO licensing

No active additional scheme shown

Mandatory HMO licensing

Applies across England

Source confidence: Medium
Boundary confidence: Low
Public register: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Last reviewed: 27 March 2026
Next review due: Not scheduled
Sources recorded: 12

Open the official council source

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.

Check the official council source Get a written property licensing check

What still adds uncertainty

At least one scheme uses street or custom-area boundaries, so a postcode match can only be approximate.
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 Burnley Borough Council.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for Burnley Borough Council

We will email you if Burnley 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.

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.

Property Licensing Check

£29 · Live now

A property-specific PDF licensing report with a verification email template, current scheme fees, and a £30,000 risk context block — delivered to your inbox automatically.

Continue to secure payment

Licensing Due Diligence Report

£79 · Live now

A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.

Request the report

Alerts and monitoring

£12.99/month · Coming soon

A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.

See alerts and monitoring

These are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.

Check a postcode in Burnley 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 LicensingActive

Selective Licensing - Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and Leyland Road Area

Selective licensing for privately rented properties in the Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and Leyland Road designated areas. These areas were among the original designations in Burnley's selective licensing scheme.

Licence fee: £715
Fee guide: Standard online application fee is £715. Returning licence holders pay £640. Returning licence holders: £640. Additional discounts available for early application and Good Landlord and Agent Scheme (GLAS) members.
Discount available: Returning licence holders: £640. Additional discounts available for early application and Good Landlord and Agent Scheme (GLAS) members.
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

Street list available at https://burnley.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/All-areas-street-list-2025.pdf. Property eligibility checker at https://propertylicensing.burnley.gov.uk/apply/selector/section/1/ Property types covered: All privately rented properties within the designated areas unless exempt. Exemptions or exclusions: Exemptions and temporary exemption notices available via application portal.

Verify on official council page

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 LicensingActive

Selective Licensing - Trinity, Daneshouse, Gannow, Queensgate, Padiham

Selective licensing for privately rented properties in the Trinity, Daneshouse, Gannow, Queensgate, and Padiham designated areas.

Licence fee: £750
Fee guide: Standard online application fee is £750. Returning licence holders pay £670. Returning licence holders: £670. Additional discounts available for early application and Good Landlord and Agent Scheme (GLAS) members.
Discount available: Returning licence holders: £670. Additional discounts available for early application and Good Landlord and Agent Scheme (GLAS) members.
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

Verify on official council page

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: Yes
Search method: Search online
Register usability: Clear searchable register (1/5)

HMOSelective (unconfirmed)

Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.

Open the public register

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

27 March 2026

Research confidence

Medium (68/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

Core fee amounts, covered areas, scheme types, and contact details were clearly extracted. However, selective licensing scheme exact start and end dates were not explicitly stated on any page. The street list PDF was not machine-readable. The public register URL found is for representations/public comments rather than a full licensed properties register. Additional HMO licensing confirmed as not in operation.

Council contact details

Email: landlords@burnley.gov.uk
Phone: 01282 475810

Important to verify

selective_licensing_start_date
selective_licensing_end_date
selective_licensing_designation_date
Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.

Supporting sources

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 Burnley 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 Burnley Borough Council.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

Mandatory licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the entire borough of Burnley. Applies to properties occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share amenities.

Fee notes: Two-part fee (April 2025 - March 2026): Standard applicants pay £546 on application + £396 on granting (total £942 for up to 10 rooms). Additional rooms cost £21 each. GLAS members pay £380 on application + £277 on granting (total £657 for up to 10 rooms). Good Landlord and Agent Scheme (GLAS) accredited holders receive significant discounts: £380 + £277 = £657 total vs standard £546 + £396 = £942 total (saving of £285).
Typical licence term: 5 years
Start date shown: 1 October 2018

As of 14 October 2024, an Article 4 Direction is in effect requiring lawful planning use before applying. Contact: hmo@burnley.gov.uk / 01282 477299. Required documents include EPC, Gas Safe Certificate, EICR, tenancy agreement, floor plan, emergency lighting certificate, fire risk assessment, and fire alarm certificate. Property types covered: Properties occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing kitchen, toilet, or bathroom facilities. Excludes purpose-built apartment blocks with 3 or more self-contained flats. Exemptions or exclusions: Purpose-built apartment blocks with three or more self-contained units are excluded from licensing requirements. Exemption/temporary exemption notices available.

View HMO licensing info on council website

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

View full compliance checklist →

Common questions about licensing in Burnley Borough Council

Do I need a landlord licence in Burnley Borough Council?: Burnley Borough Council currently operates selective 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 Burnley Borough Council?: Based on our current data, licence fees in Burnley Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: Two-part fee (April 2025 - March 2026): Standard applicants pay £546 on application + £396 on granting (total £942 for up to 10 rooms). Additional rooms cost £21 each. GLAS members pay £380 on application + £277 on granting (total £657 for up to 10 rooms). Good Landlord and Agent Scheme (GLAS) accredited holders receive significant discounts: £380 + £277 = £657 total vs standard £546 + £396 = £942 total (saving of £285); Selective Licensing - Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and Leyland Road Area: £715; Selective Licensing - Trinity, Daneshouse, Gannow, Queensgate, Padiham: £750. 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 Burnley Borough Council?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Burnley Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Burnley Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in Burnley 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 Burnley 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 selective licensing rules→

Read the guide if you want the broader legal background on how selective licensing works alongside this council page.

Need the area-based route→

Use the selective licensing page if the real question is whether a standard rented home sits inside a designated area.

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.