Verified · 29 August 2026
Westmorland and Furness: 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 Westmorland and Furness, verified on 29 August 2026. Check any postcode free in 10 seconds with the licence checker.
Mandatory HMO licensing in Westmorland and Furness
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 Westmorland and Furness, the standard licence fee is around £700. Letting a licensable HMO without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine.
Additional licensing in Westmorland and Furness
Westmorland and Furness 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 Westmorland and Furness
Westmorland and Furness currently has no selective licensing scheme on record, so non-HMO rentals do not need a local licence today. Schemes are designated for 5 years at a time and new consultations appear regularly.
Upcoming licensing changes in Westmorland and Furness
As of September 2025, Westmorland and Furness Council had agreed to take steps to address the increase of HMOs in the Barrow area. This includes an agreement to extend the licensing of HMOs and to introduce an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for the conversion of local homes. The council leader stated a commitment to exploring additional controls in the Furness area to manage HMO growth. However, specific future effective dates for these changes or details of formal consultations were not stated on the official council pages reviewed.
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 29 August 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. West Oxfordshire · West Suffolk · Westminster · Wigan · Wiltshire · Winchester · or browse all councils A to Z.
Letting in Westmorland and Furness? 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 Westmorland and Furness changes its rules. Free for your first property.
Check what your properties needFAQ
Do I need an HMO licence in Westmorland and Furness?
Any HMO with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households needs a mandatory licence. Westmorland and Furness has no additional licensing scheme on record, so smaller HMOs do not currently need a local licence.
Does Westmorland and Furness have selective licensing?
No selective licensing scheme is on record for Westmorland and Furness today, so single lets do not need a local licence. This can change after council consultation.
How much is an HMO licence in Westmorland and Furness?
The standard mandatory HMO licence fee in Westmorland and Furness is around £700. 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 29 August 2026, and we keep it current as schemes and fees change. Landlords on SUCASA get alerted the moment rules change.
Westmorland and Furness council licensing pages · gov.uk HMO licensing · All councils A to Z