Landlord licensing in Blackburn with Darwen Council
North West · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
- Additional licensing
- Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Blackburn with Darwen Council currently has an additional licensing scheme for HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing within specific wards.
- Selective licensing
- Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Blackburn with Darwen Council currently operates a selective licensing scheme in specific areas.
- Towns covered
- Blackburn with Darwen
What this means for you
If you let a property in the Blackburn with Darwen Council area, the first job is to confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific, so confirm the position for the exact address. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before you advertise. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commence 2026) replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies, ends section 21 no-fault evictions and introduces a national landlord database and ombudsman. Whatever the licensing position, keep the same evidence pack for every Blackburn with Darwen Council tenancy: a current gas safety record where there is gas, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and the required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.
Official links
Licensing designations, fees and boundaries change regularly. This page is a general summary, not legal advice — always confirm the position for the exact address with Blackburn with Darwen Council before letting. Last reviewed 2 August 2026.