Landlord guide: Calderdale Council

What landlords and letting agents need to know about property licensing, safety certificates and compliance in Calderdale Council.

Overview

If you let a property in the Calderdale Council area, the first job is to 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. Designations run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific, so confirm the position for the exact address. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before you advertise. Designations, fees and boundaries in Yorkshire and The Humber change regularly, so check the council's own licensing pages before each new tenancy rather than relying on what applied last time. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commence 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. Whatever the licensing position, keep an evidence pack for every Calderdale Council tenancy: a current gas safety record where there is gas, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and the required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Licensing in Calderdale Council

Mandatory 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: Additional licensing schemes may be in force for specific types of smaller HMOs within designated areas of Calderdale. Check the council's website for current designations and requirements that apply to your property's location.. Selective licensing: Selective licensing schemes can apply to all private rented properties, including single-family homes, in designated areas of Calderdale. Landlords must check the council's website for any current selective licensing designations that may affect their property..

Fees and applications

Varies by scheme. Current fees are published on the council's website. Apply or check a designation at https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/housing/private-housing/landlords.

Safety and compliance

Keep an annual gas safety record where there is gas, a valid EICR every five years, a current EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and evidence that you served the required statutory documents at the start of the tenancy.

Renters' Rights Act 2025

Assured shorthold tenancies are replaced by periodic assured tenancies, section 21 is abolished and the possession grounds change. Landlords in Calderdale Council should review notices, rent increase procedure and record keeping ahead of the main provisions commencing in 2026.

Councils covered

Local rules change frequently. Always confirm licensing designations and fees with the council for the exact address before letting. This guide is general information, not legal advice.