Landlord licensing in Wigan Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

Additional licensing

Wigan Council has previously operated additional licensing schemes. Check the council's licensing pages for current designations, as these run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific.

Selective licensing

Wigan Council has previously operated selective licensing schemes in certain areas, requiring a licence for every private rented home including single-family lets. Check the council's licensing pages for any current designations.

Towns covered

Wigan

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Wigan Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. 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. Check the current designations on the council's licensing pages before you advertise. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing 2026, replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. Regardless of licensing, maintain 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