Property licences, explained
Last checked 26 September 2026
In some places, a landlord needs a licence from the council before letting a home. Licensing is one of the ways councils make sure rented homes are safe and well run. Here's a quick guide to how it works, and how you can check for yourself.
What a selective licence is
A council can decide that every privately rented home in a chosen area needs a licence, even homes let to a single household. This is called selective licensing, and it's the kind of licensing that applies in parts of the areas where we let homes.
Councils also license some shared homes, called houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), under separate rules.
A licence lasts for up to five years and comes with conditions. The government's guidance lists things such as a gas safety certificate every year, working smoke alarms, and a home that is suitable for the number of people living in it.
Councils where we let homes
Schemes differ from council to council. Here is what three councils where we let homes say today about selective licensing.
- Ealing runs selective licensing, which began in three wards in April 2022 and was extended to twelve more wards in January 2023.
- Blackpool has run an inner area selective licensing scheme since 1 April 2025, covering eight wards: Bloomfield, Brunswick, Claremont, Talbot, Tyldesley, Warbreck, Waterloo and Victoria. The council's website has a checker to see whether an address is included.
- Harrow runs selective licensing ward by ward. During 2026 it brought in selective licensing for six wards, each for five years.
Schemes can start, end or change, so the council's own website is always the best place to check.
How to check a licence
Every council must keep a register of the licences it has granted, and make it available to the public. Many councils let you search it online.
- Ealing's public register can be searched from its website.
- Harrow's licensing register can be searched by address, licence type or reference number.
If you'd like to know about the home you rent from us, you're welcome to ask us, or look it up on the council's register yourself.
Find out more
This guide is general information about renting in England, not legal advice. If you're one of our tenants and have a question, just get in touch.
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