Failure to apply for a licence could lead to formal action being taken either a prosecution with an unlimited fine or a civil penalty of up to £30,000.
Selective licensing designation in East, South and West Leeds
From 9 February 2026, you will need to have applied to the council for a selective licence if you rent out your property in certain parts of the city. If you buy a property after that date you will need to apply within 14 days of purchase.
The area of the city in which you need to apply for a licence (and ensure that you comply with the conditions of that licence) is shown on this interactive map:
View a map of the selective licensing areaAlternatively, you can view the map and an indicative street list in the designation.
If your property is in the area designated for selective licensing, you need to apply for a licence unless exempt.
Some properties may require a HMO licence. Check whether your property requires an HMO licence.
Properties which do not need a licence
Some properties are exempt and do not need a licence. These are:
- holiday lets
- business premises
- socially let properties
- student accommodation owned by a university
- accommodation where the tenant is a family member*
- any property where the landlord already holds an HMO licence
- properties that are empty
Please see The Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 ('Exemption Order') for further detail regarding the circumstances in which the above exemptions apply.
If you think your property may be exempt from selective licensing, contact us.
*Family member has a specific definition within the Exemption Order. Do not assume that you will meet this definition without first reviewing the Exemption Order and contacting the Selective Licensing Team.
Temporary exemptions
You might qualify for a temporary exemption if you are taking steps that will mean your property will no longer need a licence. This exemption will last for up to three months.
You might qualify if you:
- are going to stop renting out your property
- have sold your property subject to contract
- have permission to change your property from residential to another use
You will need to complete an application form and provide us with evidence that you're taking steps to achieve this.
If you think you might be eligible for a temporary exemption, contact us.
Before applying for a licence
You need to inform certain people in writing that you are planning to make an application for a licence. You should write to:
- your mortgage lender for the property to be licensed
- any other owners of the property
- anyone who manages your property
- the proposed licence holder (if that is not you)
- anyone who would be bound by a condition in the licence
- any tenants or long leaseholders of the property if the lease or tenancy is for more than three years
If you would like to use a template to contact these people, we have a:
Template form to interested parties
Form to interested parties
I (name of applicant)
of (address)
Telephone:
Email:
wish to advise you that I have applied for a Selective Licence under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 to Leeds City Council’s Selective Licensing Team, Leeds City Council, Knowsthorpe Gate, Leeds, LS9 0NP the application being made on **/**/20** in respect of the property known as: (name and address of property including postcode)
The name, address, telephone number and email address of the proposed licence holder is detailed below (if different from above).
Name of the proposed Licence holder (if not the applicant):
Address (house number/street name postcode):
Telephone:
Email:
Apply for a licence
You will need to apply for a licence for each of your properties in the designated area, including each self contained flat.
In order to comply with the designation, you will need to apply for a licence for your property by 9 February 2026.
If you purchase a property after that date, a licence application should be made within 14 days of completing the purchase within the designated area.
If you would prefer to apply for a licence via a paper application form, contact us.
If you rent out a property without making a valid application for a licence, you could face prosecution with an unlimited fine or a financial penalty of up to £30,000 per offence.
We will assess your application as soon as we can and will contact you if we need more information from you. If you have any questions about an application for a licence, contact us.
If you have further questions or need help with your application, read our application guidance notes.
Licence costs and payment
The fee for a selective licence is set out in the table below.
The fee will be paid in 2 parts:
- The first part when you submit your application.
- The second if your application is successful.
If the licence holder is the owner of the property to be licensed and a member of the Leeds rental standard at the time of application, a discount of £150 is available for each licence.
| Online application form | Paper application form |
|---|---|
| First fee - £675 | First fee - £800 |
| Second fee - £425 (£275 for Leeds Rental Standard members) | Second fee - £425 (£275 for Leeds Rental Standard members) |
Conditions of the licence
If you are granted a selective licence you will need to comply with certain conditions.
We will aim to visit your property during the period of your licence to make sure that you are meeting these conditions. We may request you to give us proof or provide us with a declaration that you are meeting a condition.
Gas
1. To ensure that all gas installations and appliances are in a gas safe condition and that an annual gas safety check is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
2. If gas is supplied to the licensed premises, the licence holder must produce annually to the council for their inspection, a gas safety certificate obtained in respect of the house within the last 12 months.
3. To provide a copy of the current gas safety certificate to all tenants/occupiers at the beginning of their tenancy/occupancy and to keep a written record that this has been provided.
Electrical safety
4. To keep any electrical appliances that are made available in the house in a safe condition and to supply to the council, on demand, a declaration as to the safety of such appliances.
5. To ensure that every electrical installation* in the house is in proper working order and safe for continued use and to supply to the council on demand for inspection, a declaration as to the safety of such installations.
* “electrical installation” means fixed electrical cables or fixed electrical equipment located on the consumer's side of the electricity supply meter – s.2(1) Building Regulations 2010
Smoke alarms
6. To ensure that a smoke alarm is installed on each storey of the house on which there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation and to keep each alarm in proper working order.
7. To supply to the council, on demand, a declaration as to the condition and positioning of any smoke alarm.
Carbon monoxide alarms
8. To ensure that a CO alarm is installed in any room that is used wholly or partly as living accommodation and contains a fixed combustion appliance other than a gas cooker and to keep any CO alarm in proper working order.
9. To supply to the council, on demand, a declaration as to the condition and positioning of any CO alarm.
Furniture and furnishings
10. To keep any furniture that is made available in the house in a safe condition and to supply to the council, on demand, a declaration as to the safety of such furniture.
Antisocial behaviour and illegal activity
11. To take all reasonable and practicable steps to prevent or reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB) by persons occupying or visiting the house, including, but not exclusively:
- i. To put in place a written procedure that indicates how complaints relating to ASB will be dealt with. A copy of the procedure must be supplied to the occupier(s) upon the commencement of their tenancy and to the council on demand.
- ii. To keep a written record of complaints received relating to ASB. The record must include details of the complaint together with the action taken to resolve the matter and must be retained for the term of this licence.
- iii. Where ASB is sustained, regular or more than one occurrence (even if months apart), the licence holder must take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure it is effectively dealt with, up to and including eviction.
12. To take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure that the property is not used and/or occupied in any manner which is contrary to the terms of the tenancy agreement and that no illegal activity occurs at the property.
Management of the property
13. To ensure that the internal structure of the house and every window and other means of ventilation is maintained in good repair and that any fixtures and fittings and appliances made available are maintained in good repair and working order.
14. To ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that the exterior of the property (including any boundary walls, gates and yards) is maintained in reasonable decorative order and in a good state of repair; that the exterior is free from graffiti and fly posters and that gardens are maintained in a reasonably clean and tidy condition.
Property inspections
15. To undertake regular inspections of the property and to record the findings of these inspections and any follow up actions required and the date upon which such action was taken.
16. To retain the inspection records, including details around any follow-up actions, for the period of the scheme.
17. To supply to the council, on demand, a copy of any inspection records and follow-up actions taken for the period requested.
Household waste
18. To ensure that the house has suitable and sufficient provision for the storage and collection of waste arising from the household occupying the property, including the correct type and number of waste bins.
19. To ensure that all waste collected from the premises complies with the council’s requirements for the disposal and recycling of waste from domestic premises. Details of the council’s requirements for the disposal and recycling of waste can be found at the council’s website.
Tenancy management
20. To supply to all the occupiers of the house, within 7 days of the commencement of any new tenancy, or within 7 days of the grant of a selective licence, a written statement of the terms on which they occupy the property and to keep a written record that this has been supplied.
21. To supply to all the occupiers of the house, within 7 days of the commencement of any new tenancy, or within 7 days of the grant of a selective licence:
- i. contact details for the person managing the property (and/or another appropriate person(s))
- ii. (if different from the above) emergency contact details to enable the tenant to report issues which occur outside of normal office hours.
and to keep a written record that this has been supplied.
22. To obtain a reference for each person who wishes to live in the house as their main home. References must be obtained before entering into any new tenancy, licence or other form of agreement to occupy the house and shall be retained for the term of this licence.
23. To supply to the council, on demand, any references obtained for any tenancy, licence or other form of agreement to occupy the house for the term of the licence.
24. To supply to the council, on demand, details of all occupiers of the house.
25. Where a tenancy is terminated during the term of the licence, to ensure the correct legal process is followed and to supply to the council, on demand, a copy of all relevant documentation to demonstrate that the correct legal process has been followed.
26. To ensure that the tenant/occupier is given at least 24 hours’ written notice of your intention to enter the house and specify the reason(s) entry is required. The exception to this is when it would not be reasonable to give such notice and access is urgent, for example in an emergency.
Licence
27. To notify the council in writing, within 14 days, of any material change in circumstances that may affect the validity and/or terms of the licence, including:
- i. A change of address
- ii. A change of manager, management arrangements or property ownership
- iii. Any change in the licence holder’s and/or (if appropriate) a person on whom restrictions or obligations under the licence are imposed, or any associate’s circumstances that may affect their status as a fit and proper person under the Housing Act 2004
- iv. Proposed changes to the house which would affect its status as a licensable property under Part 3 Housing Act 2004, for example if it becomes a licensable HMO under Part 2 Housing Act 2004
Find out how to comply with a selective licence.
Designation
You can download the official designation for our selective licensing area.
Register of licences issued
In accordance with legislation, we will keep a public register of all properties that have a selective licence. A shortened version of the register will be accessible via Data Mill North once we start to issue licences.
