West Yorkshire · Council licensing
Leeds 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. Check the council for the current fee.
Leeds City Council operates a major selective licensing scheme covering parts of six wards. Designation made 3 November 2025, came into force 9 February 2026, and runs until 8 February 2031 (5 years). Covers approximately 12,500 privately rented properties across Armley, Beeston and Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Hunslet and Riverside, Gipton and Harehills, and Farnley and Wortley. Applies to single-family homes and small shared houses (NOT just HMOs) within designated boundaries. Previous selective licensing schemes for Beeston and Harehills ended on 5 January 2025 - the new scheme is significantly larger. Licence fee £1,100 (online) or £1,225 (paper) - first part £400/525 on application, second part £700 (or £550 with Leeds Rental Standard discount) on grant. Fee apportionment was revised on 26 February 2026. Boundaries vary street by street - landlords must check the council's interactive map.
Areas: certain parts of the Armley, Beeston and Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Hunslet and Riverside, Gipton and Harehills, and Farnley and Wortley wards
Scheme runs until: 8 February 2031
No additional licensing scheme is currently in force.
Source: Leeds licensing page →
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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