Landlord licensing in Salford

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.

Fee: 950

SCHEME OVERVIEW: Salford City Council operates MULTIPLE selective licensing schemes. As of April 2026: (A) WEASTE & SEEDLEY SCHEME: Ran from 20 November 2019 until 19 November 2024 — NOW EXPIRED. May or may not be re-designated. Verify with Salford Council. (B) BARTON & WINTON / ECCLES SCHEME: Came into force on 1 September 2022 and runs until 31 August 2027 (5-year designation). Covers parts of Barton & Winton ward and Eccles ward. Designated under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. (C) BROUGHTON AND KERSAL / BROUGHTON PARK SCHEME: Approved at Cabinet decision on 23 September 2025. Following the consultation that ran 28 October 2024 to 20 January 2025, Salford launched this third selective licensing scheme in early 2026. Covers parts of Broughton and Kersal that were previously part of a selective licensing scheme that ran from 2016 to 2021. Proposed licence fee range £650-£800. Verify the exact commencement date and current scope at salford.gov.uk/housing/information-for-landlords/landlord-licensing/selective-licensing-proposal-in-broughton-and-kersal (source: salford.gov.uk consultation pages, NRLA Licensing Update Nov/Dec 2024). LEGAL BASIS: Designations under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004. Schemes are based on poor property conditions, anti-social behaviour, and (for Broughton and Kersal) low housing demand. WHO NEEDS A LICENCE: All privately rented properties (single-family, single-person, couples, families) within the designated wards or part-wards. HMOs are licensed under the Mandatory or Additional schemes instead. Use Salford's interactive map / licensing area tool to confirm whether a specific property is in a designated area — particularly for Broughton and Kersal where coverage is limited to specific streets including Bury New Road (contact Landlord Licensing on 0161 793 3344 to confirm). LICENCE CONDITIONS: Up-to-date gas and electrical safety certificates; smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed and maintained; written terms of occupancy provided to tenants; tenant references obtained; safe furniture and electrical appliances; fit and proper person test for licence holder; anti-social behaviour management; waste management responsibility. FEES: Verify current Salford fees at salford.gov.uk/housing/information-for-landlords/landlord-licensing/how-will-licensing-work/how-much-will-it-cost. Discounts available for accredited landlords and early-bird applications. ENFORCEMENT: Operating an unlicensed property in a designated area is a criminal offence. Civil financial penalty up to £30,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. Rent Repayment Orders. Section 21 invalid where unlicensed. CONTACT: Landlord Licensing Team, Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford M27 5BY / landlord.licensing@salford.gov.uk / 0161 793 3344.

Fee: 850

Scheme runs until: 30 September 2028

SCHEME OVERVIEW: Salford City Council operates a CITYWIDE Additional HMO Licensing Scheme that came into force on 19 July 2021 and runs for 5 years until 19 July 2026 (source: salford.gov.uk/housing/information-for-landlords/additional-hmo-licensing — official Salford City Council additional HMO licensing page). All licences issued under the current scheme expire on 19 July 2026. LEGAL BASIS: Designation under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004. WHO NEEDS A LICENCE: Private landlords who rent out a 3- or 4-person small HMO property anywhere in Salford are required to obtain a licence (subject to statutory exemptions). HMOs with 5+ persons require Mandatory HMO Licensing instead. EVIDENCE BASE: Salford identified inadequate fire safety, damp/cold homes, poor maintenance, waste disposal problems, and domestic waste management issues across the PRS. Additional Licensing brings small HMOs into the same evaluation and improvement regime as Mandatory HMO licensing — protecting residents and aligning standards. LICENCE CONDITIONS: Licence holders must comply with detailed conditions covering: fire safety, gas safety (annual certificate), electrical safety (5-year EICR), structural condition, kitchen/bathroom facilities, waste responsibility, anti-social behaviour management, written tenancy agreements, fit and proper person test for licence holder. Failure to comply with any condition is a criminal offence. PUBLIC REGISTER: Salford maintains a public register of all properties with an additional HMO licence — viewable at salford.gov.uk/static/licensing/addhmo.pdf with property address, licence reference, start and expiry dates, and ward. ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION: Salford introduced an Article 4 Direction in 2018. From that date, planning permission has been required for small HMOs in CENTRAL SALFORD and the wards of BARTON and ECCLES. The council is reviewing whether this should be extended to other areas. Any planning application is considered against local planning policies, NPPF and other material considerations — not automatically refused. SCHEME DUE TO EXPIRE 19 JULY 2026: Salford will need to consult on and re-designate the scheme to continue beyond this date. Verify current status at salford.gov.uk/housing/information-for-landlords/additional-hmo-licensing. ENFORCEMENT: Operating an unlicensed HMO is a criminal offence under section 72 of the Housing Act 2004. Civil financial penalty up to £30,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. Rent Repayment Orders for up to 12 months' rent (24 months under Renters' Rights Act 2025). Section 21 invalid where unlicensed. CONTACT: Landlord Licensing Team, Salford City Council, Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford M27 5BY / landlord.licensing@salford.gov.uk / 0161 793 3344.