North West · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Burnley
✓ Hand-verified 20 Aug 2026Burnley operates discretionary property licensing. Letting an unlicensed property where a scheme applies risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 and a rent repayment order — check whether your property is covered below.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Burnley sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.
The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.
Not established is not the same as free.
Five selective licensing designation areas in force, designated by Burnley Council on 27 January 2025 following 12-week consultation (72% of residents and 10% of landlords in favour). Schemes commenced 27 April 2025 and end 26 April 2030. Covers approximately 3,700 properties across the borough. Schemes designated under new general approval (effective 23 December 2024) which removed the requirement for Secretary of State approval. Lyndhurst Road area being monitored over 24 months for potential future inclusion. Burnley has operated selective licensing since October 2008.
Areas: 2025 scheme areas: Trinity, Daneshouse, Gannow, Queensgate, Padiham. A separate earlier designation covering Bank Hall, Rosehill with Burnley Wood and Trinity ran 21 July 2022 to 20 July 2027
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £370 |
| Part B | £345 |
| Total | £750 |
- Discounts for early applications and for members of the Good Landlord and Agent Scheme
Burnley — burnley.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
Scheme runs until: 26 April 2030
Burnley operates no additional HMO licensing scheme under s.56. The council states it in its own words on its Article 4 Direction and Additional HMO Licensing page: "There is currently no additional HMO licensing scheme in the Borough of Burnley." The Article 4 Direction on the same page is planning control, never licensing. Burnley's selective schemes are separate Part 3 designations and remain as recorded. Distinguished from Pendle, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Blackburn with Darwen. Established 20 Aug 2026 from burnley.gov.uk.
Common questions
Does Burnley have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. Burnley operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
Does Burnley have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Burnley does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in Burnley?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Burnley, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
Selective licensing in Burnley: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in North West →
Source: Burnley licensing page →
Every landlord in Burnley also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
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