Selective licensing in Salford
Yes. Salford 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 Salford?
Yes. Salford 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.
When does Salford's scheme end?
The designation runs until 31 August 2027, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£609 from 2. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Salford before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
- Broughton, and Kersal and Broughton Park: commences 21 January 2026, ends 20 January 2031, tiered by application date, early accredited £390, early applicant £450, rising to the £609 base from 22 July 2026
Salford, read 28 August 2026
What the designation says
Salford City Council operates MULTIPLE selective licensing schemes. As of April 2026: (A) Ran from 20 November 2019 until 19 November 2024 — NOW EXPIRED. May or may not be re-designated. Verify with Salford Council. (B) 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) 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 . 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. 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). 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. 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. Operating an unlicensed property in a designated area is a criminal offence. Civil financial penalty up to £40,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. Rent Repayment Orders. Landlord Licensing Team, Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford M27 5BY / landlord.licensing@salford.gov.uk / 0161 793 3344. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026; possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. The £40,000 ceiling applies to offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the £30,000 ceiling still applies to offences committed before that date.
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 Salford before letting.