Residential Landlords Selective Licence Applications

Landlords (or managing agents) who privately rent out properties which fall within a council’s designated area for selective licensing, must obtain a licence to be able to rent out their properties lawfully.  Landlords with multiple properties falling within designated areas for selective licensing, must apply for a licence for each property.  

A person managing or having control of an unlicensed privately rented property which falls within an area designated for selective licensing, is committing an offence which could lead to a criminal conviction and unlimited fine, or a civil penalty of up to £30,000. Landlords could also face a Rent Repayment Order brought by the council or their tenants. Being unaware of your legal obligations is not a defence and landlords (or managing agents) should note that a retrospective application does not resolve the issue or not having the requisite licence at the relevant time and they may still face enforcement action.

The cost will depend upon the type of advice you require. Our experts can offer guidance on potential costs depending on your requirements. Contact us for more information.

We can provide advice to landlords (or managing agents) on the subject of selective licensing, whether or not a breach has occurred.

We can assist landlords with the application process and / or understanding and implementing measures to ensure compliance with required standards.

We can advise landlords (or managing agents) who face the threat of prosecution and/or financial penalties.

We have assisted landlords who have got it wrong, by advising on their selective licensing obligations and by putting forward mitigation, which has resulted in substantially reduced financial penalties.

We have engaged with various local authorities over the years and the benefit of our experience enables us to anticipate the likely approach of these authorities and guide you through preparing applications or putting forward mitigation to the local authority, to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Examples of recent work include:

• Acting for a landlord with a single property falling within a designated area and assisting with the application process and providing guidance on the required standards to ensure compliance.
• Acting for a landlord with multiple unlicensed properties, falling within a designated area and putting forward mitigation to the local authority which resulted in a significant reduction in financial penalties imposed.
• Advising a landlord who had failed to apply for a selective licence and assisting with the application process.
• Acting for a landlord who faced a number of offences under the Housing Act 2003, setting out mitigation to the local authority and further engaging with the council which resulted in a 75% reduction in the original penalty imposed.