East Midlands · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in West Lindsey
✓ Hand-verified 21 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, West Lindsey 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.
West Lindsey 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.
West Lindsey operates no selective licensing scheme today, and the council says so by describing the end of the one it had. Its own selective licensing page states: "The Selective licensing scheme which was in force in the South West Ward of Gainsborough from 18 July 2016 came to an end of 18 July 2021. The licences which were in force ceased on this date and the associated conditions are no longer in force." A replacement was consulted on and then halted: following a Full Council meeting on Monday 7 March 2022, councillors voted in favour of halting the Selective Licensing consultation, to allow further consideration of both the scheme and the consultation. So there is no scheme, no live designation, and no proposal currently proceeding.
West Lindsey operates no additional HMO licensing scheme under s.56. The council's "Licensing of HMOs" page describes mandatory HMO licensing only, and no s.56 designation, notice or consultation appears on west-lindsey.gov.uk. Its historic SELECTIVE scheme in Gainsborough South West ward ran 18 July 2016 to 18 July 2021 and expired, and the further selective consultation was halted; that relates to the selective flag, already settled, and is noted here only to show the council's discretionary history is selective rather than additional. Distinguished from Lincoln City, North Kesteven and East Lindsey. Established 21 Aug 2026.
Common questions
Does West Lindsey have a selective licensing scheme?
No. West Lindsey 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 West Lindsey have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. West Lindsey 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 West Lindsey?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including West Lindsey, 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 East Midlands →
Source: West Lindsey licensing page →
Every landlord in West Lindsey 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.
Check your West Lindsey property in 30 seconds
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