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 Manchester City 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 Manchester City 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 Manchester City 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.
City-wide mandatory HMO licensing for properties occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share amenities
A separate licence is required for each property. Landlords must reapply when licence expires. Application is online. Property types covered: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households sharing amenities (kitchen, bathroom, laundry). Exemptions or exclusions: Properties managed by local authorities, housing associations, or regulated housing providers.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Four designated areas in north and east Manchester covering over 1,400 private rented properties
First major expansion since pilot. Consultation showed 85% resident support and 92% agreement that properties should be inspected. Property types covered: All privately rented properties in designated areas (excluding HMOs with 5+ occupants which require mandatory HMO licence). Exemptions or exclusions: Owner-occupied properties with up to 2 lodgers sharing amenities HMOs with 5+ occupants (require HMO licence instead) properties managed by local authorities, housing associations, or regulated housing providers properties covered by Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 properties with pending applications or active Temporary Exemption Notices.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Five designated areas across south and east Manchester
Required Secretary of State approval. Part of ongoing expansion of selective licensing across Manchester. Property types covered: All privately rented properties in designated areas (excluding HMOs with 5+ occupants which require mandatory HMO licence). Exemptions or exclusions: Owner-occupied properties with up to 2 lodgers sharing amenities HMOs with 5+ occupants (require HMO licence instead) properties managed by local authorities, housing associations, or regulated housing providers properties covered by Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 properties with pending applications or active Temporary Exemption Notices.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Newest selective licensing designation partially covering wards in north, east and south Manchester affecting approximately 1,900 additional private rented properties
Consultation closed 22 July 2024. Majority resident support: 85% agreed with suggested licensing areas, 92% agreed properties should be inspected. Follows from 2024 consultation exercise. Property types covered: All privately rented properties in designated areas (excluding HMOs with 5+ occupants which require mandatory HMO licence). Exemptions or exclusions: Owner-occupied properties with up to 2 lodgers sharing amenities HMOs with 5+ occupants (require HMO licence instead) properties managed by local authorities, housing associations, or regulated housing providers properties covered by Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 properties with pending applications or active Temporary Exemption Notices.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Original selective licensing pilot launched in 2017. Since inception, over 3,400 properties licensed, 1,700+ hazards identified, 887 compliance inspections carried out, 18 fines totalling £108,000 issued, 12 Suspended Prohibition Orders issued (mostly due to overcrowding).
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
27 March 2026
Research confidence
High (88/100)
Sources checked
13
Data extracted from multiple official Manchester City Council pages including fees, scheme details, consultation outcomes, and enforcement data. All three selective licensing designations (2022, 2023, 2025) are well documented with specific fee structures, dates, and area details. Mandatory HMO fee schedule is complete.
Required under Housing Act 2004. Includes properties licensed under the Act, Temporary Exemption Notices, and Interim/Final Management Orders. Contact hmolicensingenquiry@manchester.gov.uk or 0161 235 5500 to request register access if online register is unavailable.
Supporting sources
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 Manchester City Council.
City-wide mandatory HMO licensing for properties occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share amenities
A separate licence is required for each property. Landlords must reapply when licence expires. Application is online. Property types covered: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households sharing amenities (kitchen, bathroom, laundry). Exemptions or exclusions: Properties managed by local authorities, housing associations, or regulated housing providers.
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
Use these routes to move from the Manchester City 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.
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