Understand Manchester City Council's selective and additional licensing schemes, which properties are affected, electrical safety conditions, application processes, and penalties for non-compliance.
Selective licensing is a power granted to local authorities under the Housing Act 2004. It allows councils to require all private landlords in a designated area to obtain a licence for each property they let. The scheme is designed to improve property conditions, tackle anti-social behaviour, and ensure landlords meet minimum management standards.
Manchester City Council has implemented selective licensing in several wards across the city. If your property is located within a designated area, you cannot legally let it without a valid licence, regardless of the property's condition or your experience as a landlord.
Letting a property in a selective licensing area without a licence can result in a civil penalty of up to £20,000, a rent repayment order, and a banning order preventing you from letting property in the future.
Manchester City Council has designated selective licensing areas in multiple wards. These designations are reviewed periodically and can change. Always check the council's official licensing map before letting a property.
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme, though this could change in the future. Always check with the council directly.
Electrical safety is one of the most critical conditions of any selective or additional licence. The council will verify that you have a valid EICR before granting a licence, and may request copies during compliance inspections.
Applications are submitted online through Manchester City Council's landlord licensing portal. The process typically takes 4–8 weeks, though this can vary depending on the completeness of your application and the volume of applications being processed.
In addition to selective licensing, Manchester City Council operates an additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that are not already covered by mandatory HMO licensing (which applies to properties with 5 or more occupants). Additional licensing can apply to smaller HMOs (3–4 occupants) in designated areas.
Additional licensing has the same electrical safety requirements as selective licensing, but with additional conditions related to fire safety, waste management, and amenity standards. HMO landlords should be particularly diligent about compliance.
Once you have a licence, you must maintain compliance throughout the licence period. The council can inspect at any time and can revoke a licence if conditions are breached. Set calendar reminders for all renewal deadlines at least 3 months in advance.
Our NAPIT-registered team provides EICR inspections, fire alarm testing, and ventilation assessments across Manchester and Stockport. Call or message us for a no-obligation quote.