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 £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
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 £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. 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.