Landlord licensing in Bury Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.

Additional licensing

Bury Council may implement additional licensing schemes for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). These designations typically last up to five years and can be ward- or street-specific.

Selective licensing

Bury Council may implement selective licensing schemes requiring all private rented properties, including single-family homes, to be licensed within designated areas.

Towns covered

Bury

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Bury Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people forming two or more households. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and can be ward- or street-specific. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the council's own licensing pages before each new occupation contract. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commencing 2026) replaces fixed-term tenancies with periodic occupation contracts, ends 'no-fault' evictions, and introduces a national landlord database and ombudsman. Keep the same evidence pack for every Bury Council occupation contract: a current gas safety record, 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 occupation contract starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website