Salford: landlord licensing
Salford operates discretionary property licensing. Here is what is in force, what is coming, and how to check whether your property is affected.
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Active selective licensing
Selective licensing applies to ordinary private rented homes (not just HMOs) within a designated area.
Selective licensing
activeEccles, Barton and Winton: 100+ named streets
- Dates
- 1 Sept 2022 – 31 Aug 2027
- Approx. fee
- £609 first application
Selective licensing
activeBroughton, Kersal and Broughton Park: 150+ named streets, 1,300+ homes
- Dates
- 21 Jan 2026 – 20 Jan 2031
- Approx. fee
- £450 first application non-accredited (early period)
Active additional (HMO) licensing
Additional licensing extends HMO licensing to smaller shared houses (typically 3-4 sharers) that fall below the mandatory threshold.
Additional (HMO) licensing
activeCitywide additional licensing of small HMOs (3-4 persons). EXPIRES 19 July 2026; cannot renew after expiry, review pending.
- Dates
- 19 Jul 2021 – 19 Jul 2026
- Approx. fee
- £1,085 new (£890 + £195)
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in Salford let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households, who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, needs a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004. Licences last up to 5 years and the fee is set by the council.
Penalties for operating unlicensed
- Civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026).
- Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, claimable by the tenant.
- Unlimited fine on criminal prosecution, plus possible banning order.
- Once the national PRS Database is live, unregistered landlords can be blocked from regaining possession.
Notes
Additional scheme expires imminently (19 Jul 2026). Separate s257 additional scheme consulted Feb-Apr 2026, no designation yet.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Salford?
Salford operates 2 selective licensing scheme(s) and 1 additional (HMO) licensing scheme(s). Whether your specific property needs a licence depends on its exact location and how it is let, plus mandatory HMO licensing which applies England-wide to properties let to 5+ people in 2+ households.
What is the penalty for an unlicensed property in Salford?
Operating a licensable property without a licence can lead to a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, an unlimited fine on prosecution, and a banning order for serious or repeat offenders.
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Data verified against council sources as of July 2026. PRSCheck is an information service, not legal advice. Many schemes are designated at street or part-ward level; confirm the exact boundary for your address with the council before relying on this page. Browse all councils.