Selective licensing in Bristol
Yes. Bristol operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need a selective licence in Bristol?
Yes. Bristol operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Bristol does the scheme cover?
Ashley, Easton, Lawrence Hill, and Southmead wards. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Bristol's scheme end?
The designation runs until 5 August 2029, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£912. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Bristol before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
- Discounts: £150 Rent with Confidence accreditation; £150 for satisfactory gas, EICR and EPC certificates
Bristol, read 28 August 2026
What the designation says
Bristol City Council operates TWO active selective licensing schemes covering 5 wards in total. (A) BISHOPSTON & ASHLEY DOWN, COTHAM, Came into force on 6 August 2024 and runs for 5 years until 5 August 2029. Covers all privately rented properties (including single lets and family lets) in these three wards that are NOT HMOs. Initial application deadline was 5 November 2024 — late applications may be subject to a £140 finder's fee . (B) Came into force on 6 April 2022 and runs until 5 April 2027. Covers all privately rented non-HMO properties in these two wards. Note: in Bedminster and Brislington West both ADDITIONAL and SELECTIVE licensing apply — additional applies to small HMOs (3-4 people, 2+ households) and selective applies to non-HMOs in the same wards. A property is in scope if it is privately rented in one of the 5 designated wards AND is NOT an HMO. Bristol's definition of "non-HMO" for selective purposes covers properties occupied by: a single household (including couples), a single person, or a family. If the property is occupied by 3+ unrelated people forming 2+ households it is an HMO and requires Additional or Mandatory HMO licensing instead, not Selective. Use the interactive map and pdf HMO Public Notice on the council website to confirm whether a specific address is in a designated ward (look for green-shaded areas). The 5-year scheme in Eastville and St George wards ended on 30 June 2024. During the scheme 3,616 licences were issued, 3,409 inspections carried out, and 88% of properties were subsequently improved. A 10-week public consultation found 58% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with extending the scheme — which formed the evidence base for the August 2024 expansion . Bishopston & Ashley Down, Cotham, and Easton selective licence fee approximately £912 . Bedminster and Brislington West selective licence fee approximately £799. Both fees paid in two parts (Part 1 on application, Part 2 on grant). Verify the current fee structure at bristol.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licences/licence-fees-extra-charges-and-discounts/additional-hmo-and-selective-property-licence-fees before applying. 5 years. Bristol inspects all registered properties at least once within the licence period. Comprehensive — fire safety, electrical safety (annual gas safety certificate, EICR), property condition, anti-social behaviour management, written tenancy agreements, written ASB complaint procedure. The Bedminster/Brislington West selective licence has its own published condition document on bristol.gov.uk, separate from the Bishopston/Cotham/Easton scheme conditions. Online via Bristol's licensing portal. New landlords have 28 days to apply from the date the property was first occupied. Required documents: gas safety certificate, EICR, EPC, floor plans, mortgage company details, owner/agent contact details, tenant occupancy details, fit and proper person declaration, legal declarations (no unspent criminal convictions). Payment for Part 1 fee is taken at submission. If you plan to sell the property or end tenancy, you may apply for a Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN) lasting 3 months, with a possible 3-month extension in exceptional circumstances. Operating an unlicensed property in a designated area is a criminal offence under section 95 of the Housing Act 2004. Civil financial penalties up to £40,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. Rent Repayment Orders for up to two years' rent for offences on or after 1 May 2026 (12 months before that date). Properties already holding a Mandatory or Additional HMO licence do not separately need a Selective licence. Statutory exemptions under the Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 also apply. Bristol City Council Property Licensing team via the council licensing portal at bristol.gov.uk. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026; possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. The £40,000 ceiling applies to offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the £30,000 ceiling still applies to offences committed before that date.
What this means for a landlord
A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Bristol before letting.