Selective licensing in Mansfield
Yes. Mansfield 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 Mansfield?
Yes. Mansfield 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 Mansfield does the scheme cover?
Area 1: Streets within Central ward; Area 2: Streets within West Bank & Wainwright wards; Area 3: Streets within Market Warsop ward; Area 4: Streets within Eakring & Rock Hill wards; Area 5: Streets within Central & Bancroft wards. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Mansfield's scheme end?
The designation runs until 10 September 2030, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£800. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Mansfield before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
- £100 discount for recognised accreditation scheme members (DASH)
- Discount expired 12 Sep 2025
Mansfield, read 25 August 2026
What the designation says
Selective licensing scheme designated by the Portfolio Holder for Housing on 12 March 2025 following consultation in late 2024. Online application portal opened 12 June 2025; scheme became enforceable on 13 September 2025 and runs until 10 September 2030. Covers approximately 1,200 privately rented properties across five designated areas. Applies to properties occupied by a single tenant, multiple tenants forming one household (e.g. a family), or two unrelated individuals forming two separate households. Properties occupied by 3+ unrelated individuals fall under HMO (mandatory) licensing instead. Landlords must meet minimum property standards (no Category 1 hazards), pass a fit-and-proper-person test, and respond promptly to complaints.
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 Mansfield before letting.