Landlord licensing in Halton Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

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

Additional licensing

Halton Council may implement additional licensing schemes to extend licensing requirements to smaller HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing. Check the council's website for current designations.

Selective licensing

Halton Council may implement selective licensing schemes which require all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, including single-family homes. Check the council's website for current designations.

Typical fees

For up-to-date fees, please check the Halton Council website directly.

Towns covered

Halton

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Halton Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties with five or more tenants forming two or more households. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Designations run for up to five years and are area-specific, so check the position for the exact address before each new tenancy. All properties must have 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 all prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts. Compliance with the Renters' Rights Act 2025, including property condition and tenant rights, is also mandatory.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website