Landlord licensing in West Berkshire Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties occupied by five or more tenants forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet. These properties require a licence from West Berkshire Council.

Additional licensing

West Berkshire Council may implement additional licensing schemes for smaller HMOs that do not meet the criteria for mandatory licensing. These designations are specific to certain areas or property types and are valid for up to five years.

Selective licensing

West Berkshire Council has the power to designate areas for selective licensing, requiring all privately rented properties within that area to be licensed, including those let to single families. Landlords must check for current designations.

Towns covered

West Berkshire

What this means for you

If you let a property in the West Berkshire Council area, the first job is to confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people who form two or more households and share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs; designations run for up to five years and are ward or street-specific. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check 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. Ensure you 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 required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website