North West · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in South Ribble
✓ Hand-verified 21 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, South Ribble does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
South Ribble sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.
The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.
Not established is not the same as free.
South Ribble operates no selective licensing scheme. The council states on its own HMO page: "For information, South Ribble Borough Council has not designated any part of its district as subject to selective licensing of residential accommodation." That is an express statement about designation — the act that creates a scheme under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004 — and not merely an absence of mention. The same page directs Article 4 enquiries to the Planning Department, which is a separate planning control and not a licensing designation.
South Ribble operates no additional HMO licensing scheme under s.56. The council's HMO page presents mandatory HMO licensing as the only HMO licensing regime and confirms its Article 4 Direction is planning control. The same page states verbatim: "South Ribble Borough Council has not designated any part of its district as subject to selective licensing of residential accommodation", confirming this is the page that would name a discretionary designation if one existed. No s.56 designation appears on southribble.gov.uk. Distinguished from Preston, Chorley, West Lancashire and Ribble Valley. Established 21 Aug 2026.
Common questions
Does South Ribble have a selective licensing scheme?
No. South Ribble does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does South Ribble have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. South Ribble does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in South Ribble?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including South Ribble, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
All property licensing in North West →
Source: South Ribble licensing page →
Every landlord in South Ribble also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
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