Landlord licensing in Rochdale Borough Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies borough-wide.

Additional licensing

Additional licensing currently covers all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that are not subject to mandatory licensing and are occupied by three or four unrelated persons, across the whole of the borough.

Selective licensing

Selective licensing operates in several designated areas, including Milkstone and Deeplish, Newbold Brow, and parts of Smallbridge and Falinge. Landlords of all privately rented properties in these areas must obtain a licence unless specifically exempted.

Typical fees

Around £800 for a five-year mandatory HMO licence.

Towns covered

Rochdale

What this means for you

Landlords in Rochdale must comply with general housing standards and landlord and tenant law, including the Renters' Rights Act 2025. This Act introduces a Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector, strengthens tenants' rights, and abolishes Section 21 'no-fault' evictions. Mandatory electrical safety checks are required every five years, and landlords must have a valid gas safety certificate where applicable. Properties must have working smoke alarms on each storey and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website