Do you need a landlord licence in Salford?

Whether you need a licence to let a property in Salford depends on the type of property and exactly where it is. Salford (North West), like every English council, must license larger HMOs, and it can also designate areas for additional or selective licensing. Here’s what each means, what happens if you get it wrong, and how to check Salford’s current rules.

Licensing in Salford as at 25 September 2026

Salford runs selective licensing (named streets in Eccles, Barton and Winton, from 1 September 2022 until 1 September 2027; named streets in Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park, from 21 January 2026 until 21 January 2031), on top of mandatory HMO licensing.

Selective licensing

Eccles, Barton and Winton

Area: Named streets in Eccles, Barton and Winton

Scheme dates: From 1 September 2022 until 1 September 2027

Fee: £609 (£366 application + £243 grant); £589 for a subsequent application

Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park

Area: Named streets in Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park

Scheme dates: From 21 January 2026 until 21 January 2031

Fee: £609 (£365 + £244) for valid applications from 22 July 2026

Additional HMO licensing

Section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats) — comes into force 24 November 2026

Area: City-wide: section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats that don't meet the 1991 Building Regulations)

Scheme dates: From 24 November 2026 until 24 November 2031

Fee: From £1,431.65 for 2–4 flats (Part 1 £1,053.96 + Part 2 £377.69); £1,711.65 for 5–8 flats; £1,991.65 for 9 or more

Mandatory HMO licensing
Applies everywhere in Salford, as across England, to HMOs let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Salford's earlier city-wide additional HMO scheme for small (3–4 person) HMOs ended on 19 July 2026 and cannot be renewed. Salford publishes early-application and accreditation discounts on the section 257 fees.

Sources (checked 25 September 2026)

Designations and fees change. Confirm your exact address and the live fee with Salford before you apply.

The three types of licence

  • Mandatory HMO licence. Required across England for larger HMOs — typically a property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. This applies in Salford regardless of any local scheme.
  • Additional HMO licence. Salford can extend HMO licensing to smaller HMOs in designated parts of its area.
  • Selective licence. Salford can require a licence for all privately rented homes — including ordinary single-family lets — within a designated area. Larger schemes need government approval, and they’re used in areas with specific housing or anti-social-behaviour concerns.

The penalties for renting unlicensed in Salford

Letting a property that needs a licence without one is a criminal offence. You risk an unlimited fine or a civil penalty of up to £40,000, a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent, and a possible banning order. (Those are the limits for offences on or after 1 May 2026, when the Renters’ Rights Act raised them from £30,000 and 12 months.)

How to check Salford's current schemes

Designations change, so always confirm the live position. Search Salford’s website for “property licensing” or “landlord licensing”, check whether your postcode falls inside a designated area, and note the licence type, the boundaries and the scheme dates. If in doubt, contact Salford’s private-sector housing team before you let. The summary above was checked against Salford’s own licensing page on 25 September 2026.

Never miss a licensing deadline

LandlordReady tracks the licences and certificates each of your properties needs and warns you before they lapse — so a renewal or a new Salford scheme doesn’t catch you out.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to rent out a property in Salford?

As at 25 September 2026, Salford runs selective licensing (named streets in Eccles, Barton and Winton, from 1 September 2022 until 1 September 2027; named streets in Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park, from 21 January 2026 until 21 January 2031), on top of mandatory HMO licensing. If your property is in a selective licensing area, you need a licence for any privately rented home there — including an ordinary single let — unless it is exempt or licensed as an HMO. A larger HMO (five or more people, two or more households) needs a mandatory HMO licence anywhere in Salford. A new designation — Section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats) — comes into force on 24 November 2026. Check your exact address on Salford's licensing page before you let.

How much does a landlord licence cost in Salford?

Salford's published fees as at 25 September 2026: Selective licence (Eccles, Barton and Winton): £609 (£366 application + £243 grant); £589 for a subsequent application. Selective licence (Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park): £609 (£365 + £244) for valid applications from 22 July 2026. Additional HMO licence (Section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats)): From £1,431.65 for 2–4 flats (Part 1 £1,053.96 + Part 2 £377.69); £1,711.65 for 5–8 flats; £1,991.65 for 9 or more. Fees are set by the council and can change, so confirm the current figure before you apply.

What happens if I rent without a required licence in Salford?

Renting an unlicensed property that needs a licence is a criminal offence. You can face an unlimited fine or a civil penalty of up to £40,000, and a rent repayment order of up to 24 months' rent (the limits for offences on or after 1 May 2026).

Check landlord licensing in other areas.