East of England · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Central Bedfordshire
✓ Hand-verified 20 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Central Bedfordshire does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Central Bedfordshire 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.
Central Bedfordshire Council presents mandatory HMO licensing as the only licensing regime it operates. Its HMO pages describe the mandatory threshold of five or more persons in two or more households together with variation fees, and make no reference to any selective designation under s.80 of the Housing Act 2004. neighbouring Luton has BOTH a selective and an additional scheme live from 1 June 2026, covering the Town Centre and Park Town areas and the borough respectively. Those are Luton Borough Council schemes and are not attributed to Central Bedfordshire. Also distinguished from Bedford and Milton Keynes. Established 20 Aug 2026 from centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Central Bedfordshire Council presents mandatory HMO licensing as the only licensing regime it operates, with no reference to an s.56 additional designation on its HMO pages. Luton's borough-wide additional scheme live from 1 June 2026 is a different authority and is not attributed here. Established 20 Aug 2026 from centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Common questions
Does Central Bedfordshire have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Central Bedfordshire does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does Central Bedfordshire have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Central Bedfordshire, 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
All property licensing in East of England →
Source: Central Bedfordshire licensing page →
Every landlord in Central Bedfordshire 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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