North West · Council licensing

Landlord licensing in Cheshire East

✓ Hand-verified 18 Aug 2026

Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Cheshire East does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.

Mandatory HMO licenceRequired

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.

Licence feeBanded by units
£1,0765 to 6 units

The band is set by the number of separate lettings.

5 to 6 units£1,076
7 to 12£1,142
13 to 20£1,236
21 or more£1,315
  • Renewal £861 (5-6), £913 (7-12), £966 (13-20), £1,026 (21 or more)
  • No accreditation discount stated

Cheshire East — cheshireeast.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026

Selective licensingNot in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the council HMO register page states "If a HMO is occupied by five or more people who form two or more households, there should be a HMO licence in place (some exceptions apply)", and the licensed HMO register returns 273 properties. Local Plan policy HOU 4 confirms HMO controls are handled through planning, "intended to work in parallel with mandatory HMO licensing rules". No selective designation is published; a 2018 committee decision on HMO licensing fees concerned the mandatory scheme only.

Additional licensing (HMOs)Not in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the council presents the mandatory five-person threshold as the licensing trigger and handles wider HMO concentration through Local Plan policy HOU 4 rather than a s.56 designation. No additional licensing tier appears in the council's fee arrangements. The register copy administration charge is GBP 92.00, correct at 1 April 2025; the current mandatory licence fee is scaled and was not published in a form we could quote, so none is recorded.

Common questions

Does Cheshire East have a selective licensing scheme?

No. Cheshire East 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 Cheshire East have an additional HMO licensing scheme?

No. Cheshire East 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 Cheshire East?

A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Cheshire East, 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.

Check your own propertyUnderstanding licensing

All property licensing in North West

Source: Cheshire East licensing page →

Every landlord in Cheshire East 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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Landlord HQ uses AI to analyse legislation and tenancy agreements. While we work hard to ensure accuracy, AI can make mistakes. Always verify compliance requirements with a qualified solicitor. Landlord HQ is an information tool, not legal advice.

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