Do I need a landlord licence in Peterborough City Council?

Peterborough City Council currently operates selective licensing and 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 Peterborough City Council?

Based on our current data, licence fees in Peterborough City Council are approximately: Peterborough Additional HMO Licensing Scheme: £1,100; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,100; Peterborough Selective Licensing Scheme: £908. 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 Peterborough City Council?

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

What happens if I rent without a licence in Peterborough City 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 Peterborough City Council

East of England

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

Active additional

Mandatory HMO licensing

Applies across England

Source confidence: High
Boundary confidence: Low
Public register: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Last reviewed: 27 March 2026
Next review due: Not scheduled
Sources recorded: 10

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

Verify the position with the official council source

Our current data shows an active local scheme and a clear area match. The fastest reliable next step is to confirm the current fees, dates, boundaries, and exemptions on the official council source before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action.

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 Peterborough City Council.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for Peterborough City Council

We will email you if Peterborough 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.

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.

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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 Peterborough City 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

Additional LicensingActive

Peterborough Additional HMO Licensing Scheme

Citywide additional HMO licensing scheme covering all HMOs in Peterborough occupied by 3 or 4 persons not subject to mandatory HMO licensing. The scheme was decided by Cabinet on 2 October 2025 following a public consultation (19 May to 31 July 2025). Estimated to cover approximately 2,000 properties across the city. Also includes Section 257 HMOs (buildings converted into self-contained flats not meeting 1991 Building Regulations where more than one-third of flats are let on shorthold tenancies).

HMO licence fee: £1,100
Fee guide: Total fee £1,100: Part A £588 (application processing, payable at submission), Part B £512 (compliance actions, payable before final licence is issued). Council is encouraging landlords to apply before 26 April 2026 to avoid enforcement action. Landlords already holding a selective licence for a 3-4 person HMO property are automatically passported across to Additional Licensing with no need to apply separately.
Discount available: Landlords already holding a selective licence for a 3-4 person HMO property are automatically passported across to Additional Licensing with no need to apply separately.
Scheme period: 26 January 2026 - 25 January 2031
Typical licence term: 5 years
Coverage: Borough-wide

Research notes

Administered by Home Safe as the council's delivery partner (same partner as selective licensing scheme). Landlords must apply via Home Safe website at https://home-safe.org.uk/landlords/licence-schemes/peterborough-additional-licensing. Processing time up to 26 weeks plus 28-day consultation period after decision. Consultation ran 19 May to 31 July 2025; decision taken 2 October 2025. Separate contact: additional.licensing@peterborough.gov.uk. The scheme is intended to complement (not replace) the existing selective licensing scheme. Property types covered: HMOs rented to 3 or 4 persons who are not all from the same household and share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities. Also Section 257 HMOs (converted self-contained flat buildings not meeting 1991 Building Regulations with more than one-third of flats let on shorthold tenancies). Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already subject to mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupants). Local authority or registered provider lettings. Properties under management orders. Owner-occupiers with fewer than three lodgers. Holiday lets and business tenancies. Student accommodation managed by educational institutions. Homes with up to two unrelated occupants. Charity-managed night shelters or addiction recovery facilities.

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

Peterborough Selective Licensing Scheme

Selective licensing covering privately rented properties in 10 designated electoral wards in Peterborough. Designated areas have above 23.5% private rented housing combined with conditions such as low housing demand or significant and persistent anti-social behaviour. Over 7,000 licence applications were received in the first year, with over 6,476 licences issued. Approved by the Secretary of State on 4 December 2023.

Licence fee: £908
Fee guide: Total fee £908: Part A £538 (paid at application, non-refundable), Part B £370 (invoiced when draft licence issued, due within 7 days, refundable if licence rejected). Same fee applies regardless of when property is licensed during the scheme's duration. An early-bird rate of £608 (Part A £288, Part B £320) was available in the first 30 days from 11 March 2024 only. Early bird discount of £300 off (total £608) was available within the first 30 days of scheme launch (11 March 2024 to approximately 10 April 2024). No ongoing discount scheme confirmed.
Discount available: Early bird discount of £300 off (total £608) was available within the first 30 days of scheme launch (11 March 2024 to approximately 10 April 2024). No ongoing discount scheme confirmed.
Scheme period: 11 March 2024 - 10 March 2029
Typical licence term: 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

Administered by Home Safe as the council's delivery partner. Landlords must apply via Home Safe website at https://home-safe.org.uk/landlords/licence-schemes/pcc-selective-licensing. Processing time up to 26 weeks plus 14-day consultation period after decision. Fit and proper person check required. Council plans to inspect every licensed property twice during the 5-year scheme. Scheme approved by Secretary of State (approval letter available on council website). Full designated areas map available on ArcGIS. Separate contact for scheme enquiries: selectivelicensing@peterborough.gov.uk. Property types covered: All privately rented residential properties within the designated wards, excluding those already subject to mandatory HMO licensing or additional HMO licensing. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties subject to mandatory HMO licensing or additional HMO licensing. Full exemptions detailed in scheme guidance on council website.

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)

HMOAdditional (unconfirmed)Selective (no public register)

Appears to cover HMO licences, but our notes suggest no public register for selective licensing - always confirm scope on the register itself.

Register notes

The main licensing public register at https://registers.peterborough.gov.uk/Licensing.aspx is searchable and covers all licence types including HMOs and selective licensing. It shows licences issued, applications received, and applications rejected. A separate downloadable CSV of the HMO licence and TEN register (updated 2026) is available at https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/asset-library/hmo-licence-ten-register-updated-20261.csv. A historical selective licensing public register from June 2020 (relating to the previous scheme) is available at https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/asset-library/Selective-Licensing-Public-Register-June-2020.pdf. No current (2024-2029) selective licensing register download link was found. For unlicensed property reports or register queries, contact housing.standards@peterborough.gov.uk.

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

High (86/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

All three active schemes confirmed from official Peterborough City Council website pages and corroborated by Home Safe (the council's official delivery partner). Fee breakdowns, dates, ward coverage, and contact details verified across multiple official sources. The additional HMO scheme launched during the extraction period (January 2026) with active enforcement from March 2026.

Council contact details

Email: housing.standards@peterborough.gov.uk

Important to verify

Mandatory HMO fee split before the additional licensing scheme launched (fee may have changed - the £1,100 total found on the mandatory HMO page appears coincidentally identical to the additional HMO fee, suggest verification)
Whether the current selective licensing scheme has a downloadable register (only the 2020 historical PDF was found; current register may be online-search-only)
Full street-by-street list for selective licensing designated areas (available on council website via dropdown but not extracted)

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 Peterborough City 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 Peterborough City Council.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

Applies to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the entire Peterborough City Council area occupied by 5 or more persons from 2 or more households sharing facilities. Updated national regulations from 1 October 2018 removed the former three-storey requirement.

HMO fee guide: £1,100
Fee notes: Total fee £1,100 split into Part A (£367, payable at application, non-refundable) and Part B (£733, payable before final licence is issued, refundable if licence is rejected). Pre-application advice available: first two hours £190 plus VAT, additional hours £95 per hour plus VAT.
Typical licence term: 5 years
Start date shown: 1 October 2018

Mandatory under Housing Act 2004 Part 2. Applications submitted through the council's own online portal (not via Home Safe). Public HMO licence register available as a downloadable CSV at https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/asset-library/hmo-licence-ten-register-updated-20261.csv. Appeals to the First-Tier Tribunal within 28 days of decision. Property types covered: Properties occupied by 5 or more persons from 2 or more separate households sharing toilets, bathrooms or cooking facilities.

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 Peterborough City Council

Do I need a landlord licence in Peterborough City Council?: Peterborough City Council currently operates selective licensing and 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 Peterborough City Council?: Based on our current data, licence fees in Peterborough City Council are approximately: Peterborough Additional HMO Licensing Scheme: £1,100; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,100; Peterborough Selective Licensing Scheme: £908. 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 Peterborough City Council?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Peterborough City Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Peterborough City Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in Peterborough City 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 Peterborough 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.

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.