Do I need a landlord licence in Slough Borough Council?

Our current data does not show active selective or additional licensing schemes in Slough 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 Slough Borough Council?

Based on our current data, licence fees in Slough Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing (England-wide): £1,086; Slough Borough Council Additional Licensing Designation 2019: £750; Slough Borough Council Selective Licensing Designation 2019 (Chalvey and Central Wards): £500. 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 Slough Borough Council?

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

What happens if I rent without a licence in Slough 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 Slough Borough Council

South East

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

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

No active local scheme currently shown in our data, but former scheme records are noted for context.

Selective licensing

Former scheme noted

Additional HMO licensing

Former scheme noted

Mandatory 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

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

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 Slough Borough Council.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for Slough Borough Council

We will email you if Slough 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 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.

Free checker

Free · Live now

Check a postcode, open the council page, and use the guides before paying for anything.

Open the free checker

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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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 Slough 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.

Additional LicensingExpired

Slough Borough Council Additional Licensing Designation 2019

Borough-wide additional HMO licensing covering all privately rented HMOs not captured by mandatory HMO licensing. Designated under Section 56 of the Housing Act 2004. Applied to all HMOs privately rented and occupied under a tenancy or licence across the whole borough of Slough, irrespective of the number of occupants or size of the property, unless already subject to mandatory HMO licensing. This scheme captured smaller HMOs with 3-4 occupants forming 2 or more households.

HMO licence fee: £750
Fee guide: Historical fee at scheme launch (July 2019): £750 total (£450 admin + £300 enforcement). Early-bird discount applied for applications submitted before 1 October 2019 – enforcement portion of £300 was waived, so cost was £450 for early applicants. Fee may have been revised during the scheme's 5-year life; fees were non-refundable. Early-bird discount of £300 (enforcement fee waived) for applications submitted before 1 October 2019.
Discount available: Early-bird discount of £300 (enforcement fee waived) for applications submitted before 1 October 2019.
Designation date: 25 March 2019
Scheme period: 1 July 2019 - 30 June 2024
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: Borough-wide

Research notes

Scheme expired on 30 June 2024. Designated on 25 March 2019 by Cabinet decision. Three schemes came into force simultaneously on 1 July 2019: mandatory, additional, and selective licensing. Any unexpired additional HMO licences granted before 30 June 2024 remain operative until they expire or are revoked; licence holders must continue complying with conditions. The council is reviewing scheme outcomes and will consult before making any future designations. At time of launch, approximately 50% of homes in some areas of Slough were privately rented. Property types covered: HMOs with 3 or more occupants from 2 or more households not covered by mandatory HMO licensing,All privately rented HMOs below the mandatory licensing threshold (i.e. fewer than 5 occupants). Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs already covered by mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupants, 2+ households) Properties with Temporary Exemption Notices Resident landlords sharing accommodation with lodgers.

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 LicensingExpired

Slough Borough Council Selective Licensing Designation 2019 (Chalvey and Central Wards)

Selective licensing covering the majority of Chalvey and Central Wards. Designated under Section 80 of the Housing Act 2004. Applied to all privately rented properties within the designated area that were not licensable HMOs - i.e. properties let to a single household or to fewer than 3 occupants forming fewer than 2 households. Approximately 50% of all homes in Chalvey and Central Wards were privately rented. The scheme targeted areas with high concentrations of private rented accommodation and concerns about housing conditions and anti-social behaviour.

Licence fee: £500
Fee guide: Historical fee at scheme launch (July 2019): £500 total (£200 admin + £300 enforcement). Early-bird discount applied for applications submitted before 1 October 2019 – enforcement portion of £300 was waived, so cost was £200 for early applicants. The council originally consulted on a fee of £650 but reduced it to £500 in response to stakeholder feedback. Early-bird discount of £300 (enforcement fee waived) for applications submitted before 1 October 2019. Fee was also reduced from the consulted amount of £650 to £500.
Discount available: Early-bird discount of £300 (enforcement fee waived) for applications submitted before 1 October 2019. Fee was also reduced from the consulted amount of £650 to £500.
Designation date: 6 June 2019
Scheme period: 1 July 2019 - 30 June 2024
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: Selected wards: Majority of Chalvey Ward, Majority of Central Ward

Research notes

Scheme expired on 30 June 2024. Approved by Slough Borough Council Cabinet on 6 June 2019; came into force 1 July 2019. Scheme aimed to prevent overcrowding, improve living conditions, and reduce anti-social behaviour. A selective licensing map was published by the council showing the designated area. Any unexpired selective licences remain operative until expiry or revocation. The council is reviewing scheme outcomes and will consult before any future designations. A full evaluation of the schemes was planned for 2023/24 to inform options for any renewal or redesignation. Property types covered: All privately rented residential properties not classified as a licensable HMO,Properties occupied by a single household under a tenancy or licence. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs licensed under mandatory or additional HMO licensing Owner-occupied properties Resident landlords sharing with lodgers where no additional household is formed Properties within parts of Chalvey and Central Wards excluded from the designated area.

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 by postcode
Register usability: Clear searchable register (1/5)

HMO

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

Register notes

Public register maintained under the Housing Act 2004 (section 232). Includes properties licensed under mandatory HMO licensing. Also records Temporary Exemption Notices and Interim/Final Management Orders. Register is updated on an ongoing basis as licences are issued. The absence of an address does not necessarily mean the property is being operated unlawfully, as applications in progress are not yet reflected. JavaScript must be enabled to use the postcode search. Maintained through the Metastreet platform operated on behalf of the council.

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 (78/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

Core data about mandatory HMO licensing fees and current scheme status extracted directly from official Slough Borough Council pages (slough.gov.uk) and the Metastreet licensing portal. The expiry of the additional and selective licensing schemes on 30 June 2024 is confirmed by multiple official sources. Historical scheme details (dates, fees, coverage areas) corroborated by NLA/NRLA press releases and council democracy documents. The mandatory HMO fee schedule (Part A £551.30 + Part B £535.00 = £1,086.30 base) is from the current official fees page. Historical fees for the expired schemes are from 2019 launch sources and may have been updated during the 5-year life of those schemes. No new consultation or designation has been announced as of March 2026.

Council contact details

Email: housingregulation@slough.gov.uk
Phone: 01753 875431

Important to verify

Whether the mandatory HMO licence fee was updated between 2019 and 2024 (only current fee confirmed)
Whether the additional or selective licence fees changed during the 2019-2024 period (only 2019 launch fees confirmed)
Number of properties licensed under the expired additional and selective licensing schemes
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 Slough 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 Slough Borough Council.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

England-wide mandatory scheme administered locally by Slough Borough Council. Applies to all HMOs in Slough with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households, regardless of the number of storeys. Applies to all parts of the borough. The council defines an HMO as any rented property with three or more occupants forming two or more households where amenities such as bathrooms, kitchens or toilets are shared.

HMO fee guide: £1,086
Fee notes: Base fee of £1,086.30 for HMOs up to 6 bedrooms, split as Part A £551.30 (processing and admin, paid on submission) and Part B £535.00 (enforcement, taken automatically when draft licence is issued). An additional charge of £36.80 per bedroom applies from the 7th bedroom onwards. Renewal fee is the same as a new licence fee. Fees are non-refundable and licences are non-transferable.
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years

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. Applications are made exclusively online via slough.metastreet.co.uk - no paper applications accepted since 1 April 2019. Required documentation includes room dimensions, floor plans, current gas safety certificate (if applicable), and interested party contact details. Non-UK applicants must appoint a UK-based managing agent. Renewal applications must be submitted at least two months before expiry. Contact: housingregulation@slough.gov.uk or PrivateSectorHousing1@slough.gov.uk, tel: 01753 875431. Property types covered: HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households. Exemptions or exclusions: Resident landlords sharing accommodation with 2 or fewer lodgers Properties subject to a Temporary Exemption Notice Student accommodation managed by universities.

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 Slough Borough Council

Do I need a landlord licence in Slough Borough Council?: Our current data does not show active selective or additional licensing schemes in Slough 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 Slough Borough Council?: Based on our current data, licence fees in Slough Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing (England-wide): £1,086; Slough Borough Council Additional Licensing Designation 2019: £750; Slough Borough Council Selective Licensing Designation 2019 (Chalvey and Central Wards): £500. 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 Slough Borough Council?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Slough Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Slough Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in Slough 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 Slough 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.