Check if a property is in a selective licensing area by postcode. Free, instant, all UK councils.
What selective licensing actually is
Selective licensing is a scheme a council can bring in over a specific area that requires a licence for every private rented property in it, regardless of the property type or how many people live there. An ordinary self-contained flat or a family house can need one, with no sharing involved at all.
Why you have to check by postcode
There is no national selective licensing map, and no single rule that applies everywhere. Two identical houses on opposite sides of the same road can fall under different rules if the scheme boundary runs between them. Schemes also start and expire on fixed dates, so an address that needed a licence last year might not now.
FAQ
- How do I check if a property is in a selective licensing area?
- Enter the postcode into the selective licensing checker above. Tuxa reads the current scheme boundary for that exact address and tells you instantly whether a selective licence is required, across all 361 UK councils.
- Is selective licensing the same as an HMO licence?
- No. Selective licensing applies to every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family houses and self-contained flats. HMO licensing applies only to shared houses. A property can need both, one, or neither.
- Does a normal flat or house need a selective licence?
- Yes. In a designated selective licensing area, an ordinary self-contained rented home needs a licence with no sharing involved at all.
- Can I claim rent back if my landlord had no selective licence?
- Potentially, via a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months’ rent under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. You can only reclaim rent you paid yourself; get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice first.