Landlord licensing in Central Bedfordshire 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. Such properties require a licence.

Additional licensing

Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing. Designations run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific, so confirm the position for the exact address.

Selective licensing

Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations with the council before you advertise a property.

Towns covered

Central Bedfordshire

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Central Bedfordshire Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs, and selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in designated areas. Check the current designations before advertising. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commenced 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. Regardless of the licensing position, maintain a consistent evidence pack for every Central Bedfordshire Council tenancy: a current gas safety record where gas is present, 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 pages
• Council website