Verified · 18 October 2026
Manchester: landlord licensing, explained and verified
Every English council sets its own additional and selective licensing on top of the national HMO rules. This is the current position in Manchester, verified on 18 October 2026. Check any postcode free in 10 seconds with the licence checker.
Mandatory HMO licensing in Manchester
The national rule applies everywhere in England: a house in multiple occupation with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households must be licensed. In Manchester, the standard licence fee is around £1321. Letting a licensable HMO without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine.
Additional licensing in Manchester
Manchester currently has no additional licensing scheme on record. Only the national mandatory HMO rules apply to shared houses. Councils can designate new schemes after consultation, so this can change.
Selective licensing in Manchester
Manchester runs selective licensing, which covers all privately rented homes in the designated area, regardless of size or occupancy. The scheme runs 09/08/2023 to 08/08/2028, fee from £936. Designated wards: Longsight, Levenshulme, Moss Side, Rusholme. The scheme runs 24/05/2025 to 23/05/2030, fee from £964. Designated wards: Cheetham, Crumpsall, Harpurhey, Longsight, Miles Platting & Newton Heath, Moss Side. The scheme runs 01/05/2022 to 30/04/2027, fee from £798. Designated wards: Clayton and Openshaw, Gorton and Abbey Hey, Harpurhey. A single rented flat or house inside the area needs a licence.
Upcoming licensing changes in Manchester
The Selective Licensing Scheme 1 (2022 areas) is scheduled to end on 30/04/2027.
What getting it wrong costs
Letting an unlicensed property that needed a licence carries civil penalties of up to £30,000 per property (up to £40,000 for some offences under the Renters’ Rights Act), rent repayment orders of up to 24 months of rent. Possession runs through Section 8 since May 2026, and being unlicensed badly weakens a claim while unlicensed. “I didn’t know” is not a defence.
How fresh is this page?
This page was last verified on 18 October 2026, and we keep it current as schemes and fees change. Rules and fees change (most councils revise fees each April), so always confirm with the council directly before applying.
Licensing in other councils
Every English council sets its own schemes. Maidstone · Maldon · Malvern Hills · Mansfield · Medway · Melton · or browse all councils A to Z.
Letting in Manchester? Know where every property stands.
SUCASA tracks licensing, gas, EICR, EPC, alarms and deposit protection per property, alerts you before anything expires, and warns you when Manchester changes its rules. Free for your first property.
Check what your properties needFAQ
Do I need an HMO licence in Manchester?
Any HMO with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households needs a mandatory licence. Manchester has no additional licensing scheme on record, so smaller HMOs do not currently need a local licence.
Does Manchester have selective licensing?
Yes. Selective licensing covers all privately rented homes in the designated area, currently running until 08/08/2028. Check whether your property's ward is inside the designation.
How much is an HMO licence in Manchester?
The standard mandatory HMO licence fee in Manchester is around £1321. Fees are often multi-part or per-bedroom and usually change each April, so confirm on the council page before applying.
How is this information kept up to date?
This data was last verified on 18 October 2026, and we keep it current as schemes and fees change. Landlords on SUCASA get alerted the moment rules change.
Manchester council licensing pages · gov.uk HMO licensing · All councils A to Z