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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Hyndburn Borough Council
North West
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageNo active local scheme currently shown in our data, but former scheme records are noted for context.
Selective licensing
Former scheme notedAdditional HMO licensing
No active additional scheme shownMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- No active local scheme boundary to assess
- Public register
- Clear searchable register (1/5)
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 14
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
- 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 Hyndburn Borough Council.
Council updates
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We will email you if Hyndburn 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 are still unsure
Keep the informational journey first. Use the free checker, the £29 review, or alerts only if you want help resolving uncertainty or tracking future change.
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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 Hyndburn Borough Council
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Proposed, consultation or former scheme records
No active local scheme is currently shown in our data, but these records are useful prompts to check the latest council position.
Selective LicensingExpired
Selective Licensing Scheme No.1 2018 - Accrington and Church
Selective licensing covering designated parts of Accrington and Church in the Borough of Hyndburn. The designation was confirmed by the Secretary of State on 28 November 2017 and came into force on 5 March 2018. The scheme ran for 5 years.
- Fee guide
- Fee details for the expired 2018-2023 scheme are not publicly available online. The scheme required a licence fee but the specific historic amounts are not documented on current web pages.
- Scheme period
- 5 March 2018 - 4 March 2023
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
The scheme was originally introduced in 2013 and renewed in 2018. The designation area was defined under Sections 80-84 of the Housing Act 2004. From 5 March 2018, operating a licensable property without a licence was an offence with a potential unlimited fine. Hyndburn was associated with a significant legal case: Brown v Hyndburn Borough Council [2018] EWCA Civ 242, which established that selective licence management conditions relate only to operational matters, not installing new facilities or equipment. Application packs were available from 24 January 2018. Post-expiry, the council emphasises landlords must still comply with all housing legislation governing the private rented sector. Property types covered: All privately rented properties within the designated areas unless exempt. Properties occupied by tenants under a tenancy or licence in the designated area required a licence. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already licensed as HMOs under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 were exempt. Properties managed by registered social landlords were also exempt.
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)
Register appears to cover
HMO
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
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
High (70/100)
Sources checked
14
Research notes
Key facts confirmed from official sources: selective licensing scheme ran 5 March 2018 to 4 March 2023 (expired, no renewal announced); mandatory HMO licensing is active borough-wide; HMO fee structure (£790 + £440 = £1,230) confirmed from Cabinet-approved policy document. However, the main hyndburnbc.gov.uk pages were inaccessible via direct fetch (incorrect header check errors), so several details rely on search result snippets and the democracy portal document. Current 2025/2026 fee levels may have been updated since January 2023 (fees reviewed annually) but no updated figures were found. The public HMO register situation is unclear - the licensing portal exists but its HMO register may not be publicly searchable. No additional HMO licensing scheme was found, which is consistent with all sources examined.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01254 388111
Important to verify
- current_hmo_fees_post_january_2023_review
- selective_licensing_historic_fee_amounts
- selective_licensing_covered_ward_names_precise_boundaries
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/housing-and-regeneration-in-hyndburn/
- https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/private-rented-sector/4/
- https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/private-rented-sector-2/4/
- https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/private-rented-sector-2/5/
- https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/what-is-a-house-in-multiple-occupation/
- https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/public-notice-the-borough-of-hyndburn-designation-of-an-area-for-selective-licensing-no-1-2018/
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 Hyndburn 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 Hyndburn Borough Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Mandatory licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the entire Borough of Hyndburn. Extended from October 2018 to cover all properties with 5 or more occupiers living in 2 or more households and sharing amenities, regardless of the number of storeys.
- HMO fee guide
- £1,230
- Fee notes
- Fee structure effective from 1 January 2023 (reviewed annually): £790 for new application/processing (covers application determination for 2 or 5-year licence) + £440 for compliance monitoring (includes two full inspection visits throughout the licence period). Total: £1,230. The 2006 mandatory scheme historically charged £500 for a 5-year licence; this was updated in 2023. No discount scheme identified in available sources.
- Typical licence term
- 2 or 5 years
- Start date shown
- 1 January 2006
The updated HMO Policy was approved by Cabinet on 7 December 2022 and implemented from 1 January 2023. Fees are reviewed annually on a cost-recovery basis. Landlords failing to obtain a licence may face fines up to £20,000, a criminal record, and may be required to repay rent for the unlicensed period. The council inspects properties to assess compliance with licence conditions including gas safety certificates, electrical appliance safety, smoke alarms, written tenancy terms, and adequate bathroom/kitchen provision. Applications are submitted via the online portal at https://licensing.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/PAforLalpacLIVE/1/WcaHome (login required). An Article 4 Direction restricting conversion of dwellinghouses (C3) to HMOs (C4) without planning permission came into force on 15 March 2026 for nine wards (Barnfield, Central, Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Peel, Netherton, Rishton, Spring Hill, St Andrews). A further immediate Article 4 Direction proposed for the remaining wards (Altham, Baxenden, Huncoat, Immanuel, Milnshaw, Overton, St Oswalds) would cover the entire borough. Property types covered: Properties occupied by 5 or more tenants forming 2 or more households who share amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, or toilets. Includes two-storey shared terraced housing, purpose-built flats (up to two flats per block), shared flats above shops, and small flat blocks. Prior to October 2018, only properties with 3 or more storeys were covered. Exemptions or exclusions: Each individual HMO requires its own licence a single licence does not cover an entire building. For example, if a building has two flats each occupied by 5 persons in 2 or more households, each flat requires a separate licence.
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 Hyndburn Borough Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Hyndburn Borough Council?
- Our current data does not show active selective or additional licensing schemes in Hyndburn Borough Council. However, mandatory HMO licensing still applies across England to properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more households. Always verify with the council as schemes can change.
- How much does a property licence cost in Hyndburn Borough Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Hyndburn Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,230; Selective Licensing Scheme No.1 2018 - Accrington and Church: Fee details for the expired 2018-2023 scheme are not publicly available online. The scheme required a licence fee but the specific historic amounts are not documented on current web pages. 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 Hyndburn Borough Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Hyndburn Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Hyndburn Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Hyndburn 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 Hyndburn 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.
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.