Landlord licensing in Lisburn and Castlereagh Borough Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

HMO licensing across Northern Ireland is administered centrally by Belfast City Council's NIHMO unit, acting on behalf of all Northern Ireland councils. Additionally, all private landlords must register on the NI Landlord Registration Scheme.

Additional licensing

There is no separate additional licensing scheme operated by Lisburn and Castlereagh Borough Council. HMO licensing and landlord registration apply.

Selective licensing

There is no separate selective licensing scheme operated by Lisburn and Castlereagh Borough Council. Landlord registration applies to every private tenancy.

Towns covered

Lisburn and Castlereagh

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Lisburn and Castlereagh Borough Council area, the first step is to confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. HMO licensing across Northern Ireland is administered centrally by Belfast City Council's NIHMO unit, and all private landlords must register on the NI Landlord Registration Scheme. There is no separate additional or selective licensing scheme for this area beyond these requirements. Landlord registration applies to every private tenancy, and the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets out duties for notice, deposits, and safety. Designations, fees, and boundaries in Northern Ireland can change, so always check the official NI Direct website for the most current information. Whatever the licensing position, ensure you have 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 as per the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website