{"id":45988,"date":"2026-01-27T13:22:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T13:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/?post_type=knowledge&p=45988"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:45:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:45:29","slug":"landlord-licensing-fines-set-to-rise","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/landlord-regulation\/landlord-licensing-fines-set-to-rise\/","title":{"rendered":"Landlord licensing: increased risk of fines as schemes surge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Landlords face an increased risk of breaking property licensing rules as the number of schemes continues to grow and enforcement increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were 49 new selective and additional licensing schemes across the country in 2025, with 16 more already planned for 2026, according to research by Kamma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of increased licensing penalties as part of the Renters\u2019 Rights Act, where are the latest schemes being launched and how can landlords follow the rules?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Recap \u2013 how does landlord licensing work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you rent out a property, your local authority may require you to have a licence. Licences typically cost between \u00a3750 and \u00a31,500, lasting for up to five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three main types of landlord licensing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Selective licensing <\/strong>\u2013 councils can require every rental property (regardless of size) in a specific street or area to have a licence<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. House in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing<\/strong> \u2013 any HMO with five tenants (from more than one household) needs an HMO licence<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Additional licensing <\/strong>\u2013 some councils require HMOs with less than five tenants to get an additional licence<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If your property doesn\u2019t have the correct licence, you could be fined by your local authority. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Where are new licensing schemes being launched in 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    On top of the significant number of new schemes in 2025, there are already 16 new or expanded schemes set to launch this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Locations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Location<\/td>Type of licensing<\/td>Start date<\/td><\/tr>
    Leeds<\/td>Selective<\/td>Mid-2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Salford<\/td>Selective<\/td>January 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Thurrock<\/td>Selective<\/td>Early 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Birmingham<\/td>Renewing and expanding existing licensing<\/td>No set date<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    As well as the following London boroughs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Borough<\/td>Type of licensing<\/td>Start date<\/td><\/tr>
    Havering<\/td>Selective and additional<\/td>March 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Brent<\/td>Selective<\/td>Early 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Wandsworth<\/td>Selective expansion<\/td>April 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Hackney<\/td>Selective expansion<\/td>May 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Islington<\/td>Selective<\/td>February 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Hillingdon<\/td>Additional<\/td>Spring 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The rise in the number of landlord licensing schemes could be down to a government rule change in 2024. New schemes no longer need approval from the Secretary of State, making it easier for local authorities to introduce them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    London remains a hotbed for licensing schemes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Landlords in 28 out of 32 London boroughs will need to comply with licensing schemes. The only four boroughs without licensing currently are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n