Free checker
Free · Live now
Check a postcode, open the council page, and use the guides before paying for anything.
Open the free checkerForward-looking data
Proposed and upcoming licensing schemes in England
These are the councils where our current data shows a selective or additional HMO licensing scheme has been proposed or is at consultation stage. They are early signals, not confirmed requirements, so each should be verified with the council before you act - but for anyone buying, refinancing, or letting in these areas, an upcoming scheme is worth factoring in now.
- Councils flagged
- 31
- Proposed
- 33
- At consultation
- 4
Proposed
The council has signalled it intends to introduce a scheme, but it is not yet in force and could still change.
Consultation
The council is actively gathering views before deciding. Timing and scope can still shift before any scheme starts.
Why it matters
If adopted, affected properties may need a licence and a fee. Early awareness helps buyers, landlords, and investors plan.
South East
10 proposed · 1 at consultation
- Additional LicensingUnder ConsultationArun
Additional Licensing scheme at consultation stage in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing Consultation 2023
The position may change soon. Check the council consultation and confirm whether a licence will be required.
- Additional LicensingProposedMedway Council
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Proposed)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedMedway Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing Scheme (Proposed)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedBrighton and Hove
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Brighton & Hove Selective Licensing Phase 2 - 13 Wards (Proposed)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedThanet District Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Proposed New Selective Licensing Scheme - Margate and Ramsgate
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedSouthampton City Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing (No Scheme Active)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedReading
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing – Battle Ward (Proposed)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedReading
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing – Park Ward (Proposed)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedReading
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing – Redlands Ward (Proposed)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedPortsmouth
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing (No Scheme Active)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedHastings Borough Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Proposed Selective Licensing Scheme Renewal - Six Wards (Refused by Secretary of State)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
East of England
6 proposed
- Additional LicensingProposedGreat Yarmouth Borough Council
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Great Yarmouth Borough Council Additional HMO Licensing (Proposed/Under Consideration)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedNorwich City Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Norwich City Council Selective Licensing (Proposed/Under Consultation)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedFenland
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Wisbech Selective Licensing Scheme (Proposed - Rejected)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedBasildon
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing - Feasibility Stage
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Additional LicensingProposedLuton Borough Council
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing (Borough-Wide) 2024-2029
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedLuton Borough Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing (Town Centre and Park Town) 2024-2029
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
London
4 proposed · 1 at consultation
- Additional LicensingUnder ConsultationLondon Borough of Harrow
Additional Licensing scheme at consultation stage in our current data - Harrow Additional HMO Licensing Scheme Renewal 2026 (Proposed)
The position may change soon. Check the council consultation and confirm whether a licence will be required.
- Additional LicensingProposedLondon Borough of Croydon
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2026 (borough-wide)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedLondon Borough of Croydon
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing Scheme 2026 (14 wards)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Additional LicensingProposedLondon Borough of Westminster
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing Scheme – Renewal (Proposed/Pending)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedLondon Borough of Islington
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Islington Selective Licensing Scheme (Second Designation - Seven Additional Wards)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
North West
3 proposed · 2 at consultation
- Selective LicensingUnder ConsultationPreston
Selective Licensing scheme at consultation stage in our current data - Selective Licensing - Proposed Consultation (St Matthews, City Centre, Plungington)
The position may change soon. Check the council consultation and confirm whether a licence will be required.
- Additional LicensingUnder ConsultationBolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Additional Licensing scheme at consultation stage in our current data - Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Proposed)
The position may change soon. Check the council consultation and confirm whether a licence will be required.
- Selective LicensingProposedBlackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Hollins Bank Selective Licensing Scheme
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedKnowsley
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing Consultation - Bluebell/Bakers Green Area (2013)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Additional LicensingProposedBlackpool Council
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
West Midlands
5 proposed
- Selective LicensingProposedStoke-on-Trent City Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Stoke-on-Trent Proposed Selective Licensing Phase Two Expansion (2018 Consultation)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedWolverhampton City Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing Scheme (Proposed - Outsourcing Approved)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedWalsall Metropolitan Borough Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Walsall Selective Licensing Consultation - Willenhall and Walsall Town Centre (Not Implemented)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedSandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - West Bromwich Selective Licensing Consultation (Not Implemented)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Additional LicensingProposedSandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing - West Bromwich Area
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
North East
4 proposed
- Selective LicensingProposedNewcastle upon Tyne City Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing - Byker Old Town, Allendale Road, and Greater High Cross Renewal (Proposed 2026-2031)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedRedcar and Cleveland
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Proposed Selective Licensing Scheme - Brotton, Eston and Normanby
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Additional LicensingProposedCounty Durham
Proposed additional licensing scheme identified in our current data - Additional HMO Licensing - Evidence-Gathering Study (Durham City)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
- Selective LicensingProposedHartlepool Borough Council
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Proposed Landlord Licensing Scheme (Council Plan 2030)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
East Midlands
1 proposed
- Selective LicensingProposedAshfield
Proposed selective licensing scheme identified in our current data - Selective Licensing Phase 2 (proposed/in planning)
Could require a licence in future. Worth following and confirming the timing and scope with the council.
Stay informed
Get notified when licensing schemes change
Useful if you are tracking an area before buying, letting, or reviewing compliance. We send occasional update emails only, and you should still verify final requirements with the council.
No spam. No generic marketing blasts. Just occasional licensing updates.
Keep checking
Tracking an area before a scheme starts?
Use the free checker first. Monitoring and portfolio products can watch councils for you if you are following several areas.
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 monitoringPro and portfolio monitoring
£29/month · Coming soon
A stronger monitoring tier for portfolio landlords, agents, and serious investors tracking more areas or assets.
See pro monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
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.