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Selective licensing is a council-imposed scheme under the Housing Act 2004 that requires landlords renting out properties in designated areas to obtain a licence. It aims to improve housing standards, tackle anti-social behaviour, and ensure properties are properly managed. Each council decides which areas are covered.

A selective licence covers properties rented to a single person, couple, or family in a designated area. An HMO licence is required when a property is rented to three or more people from two or more separate households who share facilities. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties with five or more people from multiple households.

Usually not. Selective licensing is about managing rental standards, not property use. Planning permission is rarely needed unless you’re changing the building's use. We’ll check what applies to your property, free of charge.

You typically need a gas safety certificate, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), a floor plan showing fire exits and smoke alarms, proof of landlord identity, and your current tenancy agreement. Barnab tells you exactly what's needed and reviews everything before submission.

Most councils take 4–8 weeks to grant a selective licence after receiving a valid application. With Barnab, your application is prepared quickly so there are no delays caused by missing documents or incomplete forms.

Council fees vary but are typically around £900 for a selective licence. This is paid directly to the council and is separate from Barnab's service fee of £150 + VAT. Some councils offer discounts for accredited landlords or early applications.

Yes. Most councils require a floor plan showing the layout of the property, including fire exits, smoke alarms, heat detectors, and room dimensions. It does not need to be professionally drawn, a clear hand-drawn plan is usually acceptable. Barnab can guide you on what to include.

Yes, you can apply directly through your council's online portal. However, the forms are detailed and councils often reject incomplete applications, causing delays. Barnab handles the entire process, from compliance checks to document preparation and submission, so nothing is missed.

Check your local council's website for their selective licensing designation map or postcode checker. Not all councils operate selective licensing, and those that do only cover specific areas. Barnab can check this for you during a free consultation.

Renting without a required licence is a criminal offence. You could face an unlimited fine on prosecution or a civil penalty of up to £30,000. Tenants can also apply for a rent repayment order to reclaim up to 12 months' rent, and you cannot use a Section 21 notice to evict tenants while unlicensed.

If your application is rejected, the council will explain why. Common reasons include missing documents, incomplete forms, or the property not meeting minimum standards. Barnab ensures your application is fully compliant before submission, significantly reducing the risk of rejection.

A selective licence typically lasts five years from the date of issue. You must apply to renew before it expires. Some councils may issue shorter licences in certain circumstances.

Yes. Property licences are issued per property, not per landlord. If you own or manage multiple rental properties in a designated area, each one requires its own licence application and fee.

Barnab guides you through a simple chat instead of complex council forms. We check which licence your property needs, scan your property for compliance, prepare all documents including your floor plan, and handle the council submission, all for £150 + VAT for selective licences or £400 + VAT for HMO licences.