Landlord licensing in Burnley 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
- Burnley Council introduced an additional licensing scheme for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) on 1 April 2024, covering certain wards. This scheme applies to HMOs occupied by three or four unrelated persons forming two or more households. Check the council's website for specific designated areas and further details.
- Selective licensing
- Burnley Council introduced a selective licensing scheme in parts of the Burnley Wood with Healey Wood ward on 15 May 2023. All privately rented properties within the designated area require a licence, regardless of the number of occupants. Check the council's website for the exact boundaries of the scheme.
- Towns covered
- Burnley
What this means for you
If you let a property in the Burnley 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 facilities. 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, ensure you have 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 all 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 Burnley Council before letting. Last reviewed 2 August 2026.