Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Preston
North West
This enhanced research coverage page currently does not show an active selective or additional licensing scheme for Preston, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and should still be checked with the council. Mandatory HMO licensing can still apply.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageNo active local scheme currently shown in our data, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes may still need checking.
Selective licensing
Consultation or pending decisionAdditional 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
- 11
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
A change may be coming - follow this council
Our current data does not show an active local scheme here, but proposed or consultation-stage activity has been identified. The position could change, so it is worth tracking updates and verifying with the council before you act.
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 Preston.
Council updates
Get updates for Preston
We will email you if Preston 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 Preston
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 LicensingUnder Consultation
Selective Licensing - Proposed Consultation (St Matthews, City Centre, Plungington)
Proposed selective licensing covering three pilot wards selected due to high deprivation and poor private rented sector conditions. Consultation approved by cabinet on 24 June 2025. No designation made as of March 2026.
- Fee guide
- No fee information published for the proposed selective licensing scheme as of March 2026. Not yet determined.
- Discount available
- Not yet determined.
- Typical licence term
- Expected 5 years (standard for selective licensing)
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Consultation to consider selective licensing was approved by Preston City Council cabinet on 24 June 2025. An external consultant was to be appointed to design and conduct the statutory consultation. The scheme is described as a 'pilot' with potential future extension to other parts of the city. Approximately 25% of Preston's housing stock is privately rented (22.4% per 2021 data). The consultation is the 'first crucial step' per council statement - formal scheme designation and launch date are not yet confirmed as of March 2026. Property types covered: All privately rented properties within the three designated pilot wards if scheme is formally designated. Exemptions or exclusions: Not yet determined - scheme not yet formally designated.
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 (78/100)
Sources checked
11
Research notes
Core mandatory HMO licensing details, fees, eligibility criteria, contact details and public register were clearly confirmed via official council pages. The selective licensing consultation status is well-documented from the official council announcement of 24 June 2025. The absence of additional HMO licensing was confirmed by third-party sources cross-referencing council content. The sole minor uncertainty is the fee total discrepancy (stated total £882 vs component parts summing to £850) on the mandatory HMO licensing page, which may reflect an in-progress page update.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01772 906907
Important to verify
- mandatory_hmo_licensing_scheme_start_date
- selective_licensing_consultation_start_end_dates
- selective_licensing_proposed_fee
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.preston.gov.uk/article/8468/Apply-for-a-Mandatory-HMO-Licence
- https://www.preston.gov.uk/article/8470/HMO-Licence-Application-Guidance
- https://www.preston.gov.uk/article/8471/HMO-Licence-conditions
- https://www.preston.gov.uk/article/8472/HMO-licensing-procedure
- https://www.preston.gov.uk/article/908/Do-I-need-a-HMO-licence
- https://www.preston.gov.uk/article/10774/Consultation-Process-Approved-to-Tackle-Standards-in-the-Private-Rented-Sector-in-Preston
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 Preston 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 Preston council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Mandatory licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the entire city of Preston. Applies to properties occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share basic amenities (kitchen, toilet, or bathroom).
- HMO fee guide
- £882
- Fee notes
- From 1 April 2026: total fee £882 for a 5-year licence, payable in two parts - initial application fee £150 (non-refundable) + monitoring fee £700 payable when proposed licence is issued. An additional penalty fee of £129 applies for late or incomplete applications, bringing the total to £1,011. Applications submitted by email only to hmolicensing@preston.gov.uk; no paper applications accepted. No discount schemes mentioned on council website.
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
There are an estimated 2,000 HMOs in Preston, approximately 200-300 of which are within the mandatory licensing threshold. 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. Required documentation includes DBS certificate (within 28 days), floor plans (1:50 or 1:100 scale), Gas Safe Certificate (within 12 months), EICR (within 5 years), Fire Safety Risk Assessment, PAT certificate, tenancy agreement, and proof of permanent residential address. Property types covered: Entire houses, bungalows, flats or any accommodation let to more than 4 unrelated occupiers forming 2+ households sharing basic amenities. Also includes converted bedsits, partially self-contained conversions, and non-compliant flat conversions occupied by 5+ people. Exemptions or exclusions: Purpose-built apartment blocks with 3+ self-contained flats meeting 1991 Building Regulations may be excluded. Temporary exemption notices available on application.
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 Preston
- Do I need a landlord licence in Preston?
- Our current data does not show an active selective or additional licensing scheme in Preston, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and should still be checked. 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 Preston?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Preston are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £882; Selective Licensing - Proposed Consultation (St Matthews, City Centre, Plungington): No fee information published for the proposed selective licensing scheme as of March 2026. Not yet determined. 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 Preston?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Preston. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Preston council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Preston?
- 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 Preston 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.