Apply for a Selective Licence
From the 1 April 2026 the scheme requires that all private landlords operating within the designated area to hold a Selective Licence for their privately rented property, unless subject to statutory exemption. All applications must be made through Home Safe as the Council's delivery partner.
To apply for a licence, you must submit your application through Home Safe. The application process has three stages, each supported by its own short guidance video to help you complete the relevant section:
- Register as an applicant.
- Add your property or properties.
- Apply and pay the licence fee.
When your properties have been added, you'll be ready to proceed with your licence application. You will be required to provide evidence of property ownership and compliance with relevant safety regulations, as well as make payment of the licence fee. Once an application has been started, you will have 28 days to complete and submit it.
Please note you will be required to provide contact details including names, numbers and email addresses for all relevant parties, such as mortgage companies and in cases of leasehold flats, the freeholder.
You will also be required to enter details of any active tenancies at the property; this will include the tenancy start date and further information on the number of occupiers. You can also provide the tenant contact information, which is helpful, especially if you wish for them to be the point of contact for your inspection.
You will need to provide details of the appropriate person to contact to arrange your property inspections. If it's not yourself, the tenant or an associated Agent then you will be prompted to add the contact details of the nominated person.
Please note that the application process will go live on 1 April 2026.
