Stoke-on-Trent: landlord licensing
Stoke-on-Trent does not currently run a selective or additional licensing scheme, but mandatory HMO licensing still applies. Here is the full picture.
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Proposed / under review
These schemes are consulted on or otherwise not yet formally in force. They do not require a licence today but are worth watching.
Additional (HMO) licensing
proposedA city-wide additional licensing scheme for smaller HMOs, proposed on 4 August 2026 and subject to statutory consultation. Not yet designated and not yet in force.
- Dates
- To be confirmed
Official local authority licensing designation
Recently expired
Selective licensing
expiredNamed streets in Fenton and Cobridge only, not the whole city. Fenton included Baron Street, Berdmore Street, Bishop Street, Brocksford Street, Burnham Street, Bute Street, Carron Street, Fife Street, Foley Street, Goldenhill Road (evens), 1-96 Hollings Street, 309-423 King Street (odds), 342-388 King Street (evens), Marriott Street, May Place, Oldfield Street, Packett Street and Perth Street. Cobridge included 346-380 Waterloo Road, Century Street, Winifred Street, Cobridge Road, Portland Street, Stansgate Place, Rutland Street, Lowther Street, Denbigh Street, Chelwood Street, Shaw Street, Bromley Court, Powell Street, Mulgrave Street, Edgeware Street, Severn Street, Derwent Street, Eastbank Road, Cecil Avenue, Bromley Street and Windermere Street.
- Dates
- not published – 4 Aug 2019
Official local authority licensing designation
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in Stoke-on-Trent 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
Stoke-on-Trent's selective licensing in parts of Fenton and Cobridge ended on 4 August 2019 and no longer applies. In August 2026 the council proposed a city-wide additional HMO licensing scheme, subject to consultation. At present only mandatory HMO licensing applies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Stoke-on-Trent?
Stoke-on-Trent does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. However, mandatory HMO licensing still applies, to any property let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households.
What is the penalty for an unlicensed property in Stoke-on-Trent?
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.
Can a tenant in Stoke-on-Trent claim rent back from an unlicensed landlord?
Yes. Letting a property that required a licence, without one, is an offence under section 72(1) or section 95(1) of the Housing Act 2004, and a tenant can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent for offences committed on or after 1 May 2026. No conviction is needed first, but the tribunal must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the offence was committed, and the application must be made within two years of it. Tribunals award a percentage of the rent rather than the maximum, following the method in Acheampong v Roman [2022] UKUT 239 (LC).
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Renting in Stoke-on-Trent?
If your home needed a licence and did not have one, you may be able to claim rent back
A Rent Repayment Order can be up to 24 months' rent, you apply to the tribunal yourself, and your landlord does not need to have been prosecuted. The deadline is two years from the offence.
🏛️ Government-backed data: built from official local authority licensing designations, ONS council boundaries and UK housing legislation (Housing Act 2004), verified as of July 2026. PRSCheck is an information service, not legal advice. Many schemes are designated at street or part-ward level; the paid report confirms the exact boundary and official source for your address. Browse all councils.