Selective licensing in Oadby and Wigston
Yes. Oadby and Wigston 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 Oadby and Wigston?
Yes. Oadby and Wigston 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 Oadby and Wigston does the scheme cover?
Part of Wigston and South Wigston. Approved 6 February 2025, began 10 November 2025, runs five years. This REPLACES the previous South Wigston ward scheme which ran 5 May 2020 to 4 May 2025 and has EXPIRED. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Oadby and Wigston's scheme end?
The designation runs until 9 November 2030, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£850. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Oadby and Wigston before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
- Variation £30
Oadby and Wigston — oadby-wigston.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
What the designation says
Oadby and Wigston operates a selective licensing scheme covering parts of Wigston and South Wigston. The council designated it on 6 February 2025, it came into force on 10 November 2025 and it runs for five years, to 10 November 2030. Selective licensing applies to privately rented homes generally rather than only to shared houses, so an ordinary house or flat let to a single household inside the designated streets needs a licence. The council states that the scheme covers private rented houses only, and that there is no requirement to apply where a property is owner-occupied or is housing association or council accommodation. The designation is drawn by street rather than by whole ward, so an address should be checked against the council's notice rather than assumed from a Wigston postcode. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
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 Oadby and Wigston before letting.