Landlord licensing in Luton Borough Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies borough-wide.

Additional licensing

Additional licensing applies to smaller HMOs (with three or more tenants forming two or more households) across all wards in Luton.

Selective licensing

Selective licensing operates in specified wards within Luton, including Central, Saints, South, and Biscot wards. This scheme applies to most privately rented properties occupied by a single household or two unrelated tenants.

Typical fees

Fees typically £800–£1,000.

Towns covered

Luton

What this means for you

In England, all private landlords must adhere to the Housing Act 2004 and the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Landlords are required to ensure their properties meet health and safety standards, are in good repair, and that tenants' deposits are protected in a government-approved scheme. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces significant changes, including the abolition of 'no-fault' evictions (Section 21) and new requirements for periodic tenancies, providing greater security for tenants. Landlords must also provide a written tenancy agreement and comply with all statutory safety checks, such as gas and electrical safety certificates. For any licensable properties, landlords must apply for and maintain a valid licence from Luton Borough Council.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website