East Midlands · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Leicester
✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026Leicester 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.
One payment.
Leicester — leicester.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
Leicester City Council operates a selective licensing scheme covering parts of six wards (Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, Fosse, Westcotes, Stoneygate, Saffron, Spinney Hills). The scheme came into force on 10 October 2022 and runs for 5 years, expiring 9 October 2027. A second related designation came into force on 29 December 2022 covering parts of Fosse, Stoneygate and Westcotes - both designations share the 9 October 2027 expiry. Approximately 8,853 properties are affected. Importantly, the scheme INCLUDES small HMOs (2-4 sharers) within the designated areas - these need a selective licence rather than a HMO licence (HMOs with 5+ occupants require separate mandatory HMO licensing). Licence fee £1,290 (£1,032 Part A on application + £258 Part B on issue). 10% discounts available for EPC C+ properties and applications within 6 months of buying. Discount period for early applications ended 9 April 2024. The scheme was set up under the council's general powers (less than 20% of city geography and less than 20% of PRS) so did not require Secretary of State confirmation.
Areas: Parts of Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, Fosse, Westcotes, Stoneygate and Saffron wards
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £1,032 |
| Part B | £258 |
| Total | £1,290 |
- Discounts ended 9 April 2024
Leicester — leicester.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
Scheme runs until: 9 October 2027
Leicester City Council does NOT operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Smaller HMOs are addressed through the selective licensing scheme in designated wards (which includes 2-4 person sharers as licensable properties). Outside the selective licensing area, smaller HMOs do not require a council licence - only mandatory HMO licensing for 5+ occupants applies.
Common questions
Does Leicester have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. Leicester 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 Leicester have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Leicester 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 Leicester?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Leicester, 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 Leicester: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in East Midlands →
Source: Leicester licensing page →
Every landlord in Leicester 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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