Selective licensing in Leeds
Yes. Leeds operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need a selective licence in Leeds?
Yes. Leeds operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Leeds does the scheme cover?
Parts of Armley, Beeston and Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Hunslet and Riverside, Gipton and Harehills, and Farnley and Wortley wards. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Leeds's scheme end?
The designation runs until 8 February 2031, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,100. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Leeds before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part 1 | £400 |
| Part 2 | £700 |
| Total | £1,100 |
- £150 discount)
Leeds, read 28 August 2026
What the designation says
Leeds operates a selective licensing scheme covering parts of six wards: Armley, Beeston and Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Hunslet and Riverside, Gipton and Harehills, and Farnley and Wortley. The council formally designated the areas on 3 November 2025 and the scheme runs from 9 February 2026 to 8 February 2031. From 9 February 2026 a landlord operating a privately rented property inside a designated area must either hold a licence or have applied for one. Note that the designation covers PARTS of those wards rather than the whole of any of them, so the ward name alone does not settle it — a landlord should check the specific address against the council's published boundary. A property that already holds an HMO licence, including a mandatory one, is exempt from the selective requirement. The fee is £1,100 for an online application or £1,225 on paper. Letting an unlicensed property inside a designated area is a criminal offence carrying a civil penalty of up to £40,000 or prosecution, and exposes the landlord to a rent repayment order. The £40,000 ceiling applies to offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the £30,000 ceiling still applies to offences committed before that date.
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 £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Leeds before letting.