Licensing in Manchester City Council is set street by street. Check whether a specific address needs a licence with the free property licence checker, or see if it falls in a selective licensing area. See also: Article 4 Direction in Manchester City Council — HMO planning rules.
Last reviewed: May 2026
Written by Ben Yarrow, Tuxa Editorial Team
For landlords in Manchester, the single most important fact to understand is that Manchester City Council operates 14 active selective licensing schemes across numerous wards, with new designations continuing to be introduced through 2025. This means a significant portion of the city's private rented properties are subject to mandatory licensing, a detail that cannot be overlooked.
Manchester City Council has progressively implemented selective licensing to improve housing standards and management in specific areas. These schemes are rolled out in waves, each with distinct start and end dates, covering particular wards. Understanding which scheme applies to your property is fundamental.
Active from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2027, these schemes cover:
| Ward/Area | Scheme Dates | Total Fee (Full) |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton and Openshaw | 01/05/2022 - 30/04/2027 | £798 |
| Gorton and Abbey Hey (Hyde Road) | 01/05/2022 - 30/04/2027 | £798 |
| Gorton and Abbey Hey (Ladders) | 01/05/2022 - 30/04/2027 | £798 |
| Harpurhey | 01/05/2022 - 30/04/2027 | £798 |
An 'Early Bird' rate of £591 was available for timely applications.
These schemes began on 9 August 2023 and run until 8 August 2028, expanding selective licensing to:
| Ward/Area | Scheme Dates | Total Fee (Full) |
|---|---|---|
| Longsight (The Royals) | 09/08/2023 - 08/08/2028 | £936 |
| Levenshulme (Matthews Lane) | 09/08/2023 - 08/08/2028 | £936 |
| Moss Side (Great Western Street/ Claremont Road) | 09/08/2023 - 08/08/2028 | £936 |
| Rusholme (Laindon/ Dickenson Road & Birch Lane) | 09/08/2023 - 08/08/2028 | £936 |
An 'Early Bird' fee of £736 was available for timely applications.
The latest expansion comes into effect on 24 May 2025 and concludes on 23 May 2030. Landlords with properties in these areas have a window for a reduced fee:
| Ward/Area | Scheme Dates | Total Fee (Full) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheetham: Flats above shops and Esmond / Avondale area | 24/05/2025 - 23/05/2030 | £964 |
| Crumpsall: Enver Road area | 24/05/2025 - 23/05/2030 | £964 |
| Harpurhey: Whiteway Street area | 24/05/2025 - 23/05/2030 | £964 |
| Longsight (Heathcote / Sanby Road & Northmoor Road areas) | 24/05/2025 - 23/05/2030 | £964 |
| Miles Platting & Newton Heath (Droylsden Road & Scotland Street areas) | 24/05/2025 - 23/05/2030 | £964 |
| Moss Side (Viscount Street & Heald Grove areas) | 24/05/2025 - 23/05/2030 | £964 |
Landlords applying between 24 February 2025 and 23 May 2025 are eligible for an 'Early Bird' discount, reducing the total fee to £764.
While Manchester City Council has extensive selective licensing, the situation varies significantly across the other nine boroughs of Greater Manchester. Landlords operating across the region need to be aware of these differences.
| Borough | Selective Licensing Scheme | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | Yes | Multiple schemes across various wards and dates |
| Bolton | No | Consulting on Additional HMO licensing |
| Bury | No | Mandatory HMO licensing only |
| Oldham | Yes | Scheme from July 2022 to July 2027 in specific wards |
| Rochdale | Yes | Specific schemes in place |
| Salford | Yes | Schemes from 2022 and 2026 |
| Stockport | No | Mandatory HMO licensing only |
| Tameside | No | Mandatory HMO licensing only |
| Trafford | No | No selective licensing schemes currently |
| Wigan | No | No selective licensing schemes currently |
Consider a landlord owning a terraced property on Hyde Road in Gorton. With the scheme active from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2027, this property requires a selective licence. If this landlord failed to apply during the initial period, they would have paid the full fee of £798. Failure to comply could result in significant fines or prosecution, underscoring the importance of proactive engagement with licensing requirements.
Applying for a selective licence in Manchester is a structured process. Here are the practical steps a landlord can take today:
To confirm the exact licensing requirements for your rental property in Manchester or any other Greater Manchester borough, use our dedicated search tool. Enter your property's postcode to receive an immediate, accurate assessment of whether a selective licence, HMO licence, or any other property licence is required.
Check your property now on tuxa.co.uk
Q: What is selective licensing in Manchester?
A: Selective licensing in Manchester is a scheme implemented by Manchester City Council to improve housing standards and management in specific areas. Landlords with properties in designated wards are required to obtain a licence.
Q: Which areas in Manchester are covered by selective licensing?
A: Manchester City Council has multiple selective licensing schemes active across various wards, with different start and end dates. These include areas in Clayton, Openshaw, Gorton, Abbey Hey, Harpurhey, Longsight, Levenshulme, Moss Side, Rusholme, Cheetham, and Crumpsall. It's crucial to check the specific scheme dates and covered areas.
Q: How can I check if my property needs a selective licence in Manchester?
A: Landlords can use the Manchester City Council website's postcode checker or maps to confirm if their property falls within a selective licensing zone. Tuxa also offers a dedicated search tool for this purpose.
Q: What are the consequences of not having a selective licence in Manchester if my property requires one?
A: Failure to comply with selective licensing requirements can result in significant fines or prosecution. It is essential for landlords to proactively engage with licensing requirements to avoid penalties.