Selective licensing in Bristol

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 £30,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. Rent Repayment Orders for up to 12 months' rent. Section 21 notices invalid where property is unlicensed; from 1 May 2026 the no-fault possession grounds under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 are similarly unavailable. 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.

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 £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Bristol's own licensing page →