Local permission check

Does the property need a council licence before it is let?

Check the property address, intended household, and local council scheme before publication. Large HMOs require mandatory licensing, councils can license other HMOs, and selective licensing can cover privately rented homes within designated areas. A route should not open for applications until the landlord knows which scheme applies and has the required licence or acceptable application evidence.

Reviewed 9 September 2026 · England route

GOV.UK defines an HMO by occupation and household sharing, with mandatory licensing for properties occupied by five or more people in more than one household where facilities are shared. Councils can extend licensing to other HMOs. Separately, a selective scheme can require each privately rented property in a designated area to hold a licence.

Licensing changes by council, area, property type, and intended occupiers. A postcode near a scheme boundary, old licence, or agent assurance is not enough. Check the council's current map and criteria, then preserve dated evidence showing the address and proposed household considered. The future purchase option does not remove licensing duties created by occupation.

What should the local-licensing record contain?

Record the decision path even when no licence is required. That makes absence of a licence explainable rather than assumed.

Property address, council, ward or designated area where relevant, property layout, and intended maximum occupation.
Number of intended occupants, number of households, shared facilities, and whether any resident landlord arrangement applies.
Council pages, maps, checker result, scheme type, commencement date, and the date the landlord checked them.
Licence number, holder, managing person, conditions, expiry, pending application evidence, or written council response.
Works, certificates, management arrangements, or occupancy limits required by licence conditions before handover.

How should licensing be checked?

Use intended occupation, not only the property's current empty state. Applicant composition can change the answer.

Identify council and inspect current mandatory HMO, additional HMO, and selective licensing information.
Describe property layout, shared amenities, proposed occupants, and household relationships accurately.
Use council checker or contact route where boundaries, exemptions, pending designations, or property type remain unclear.
Apply where required and resolve conditions that must be satisfied before the tenancy begins.
Recheck before selecting an applicant if proposed household size or composition could alter the licensing position.

What should stop the route?

Property requires a licence but neither valid licence nor acceptable application evidence exists.
Proposed household exceeds occupancy, planning, room-size, or licence conditions.
Council requires safety or management work that remains incomplete.
Landlord cannot identify the scheme checked or relies on outdated designation information.

Platform boundary

What Move to Own UK does

Move to Own UK records council and licensing status and can restrict a route to compatible applicants. It does not decide whether a statutory exemption applies, submit licence applications, negotiate conditions, or replace council confirmation.

Common questions

Does only an HMO need a property licence?

No. Mandatory and additional schemes concern HMOs, while selective licensing can cover other privately rented homes in designated areas. Check the current council scheme.

Can licensing be checked after choosing an applicant?

That creates avoidable risk because household composition affects some licensing questions. Establish bounds before applications and recheck before selection.

Primary sources

Property intake

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