A4.14 Checking a Landlord's Licence¶
How to check a landlord's property licence in the UK and what are a landlord's responsibilities?
So, how can you check if a landlord has a property licence in the UK?
(1) London Area
This primarily applies to properties in London. First, open the official website where you can check:
Please note, this online platform cannot be used to check if a property requires a licence under certain circumstances. Before checking whether a property needs a licence (i.e., before entering the postcode), please ensure:
(1) You are not a council or housing association tenant.
(2) For the property being checked, at least one person pays rent.
(3) The property is not occupied entirely by the owner and/or their family members.
(4) The property is not occupied solely by one resident owner and a maximum of two lodgers.
Then, enter the rental property's postcode on the page that opens.
After entering the postcode, you can then select the corresponding property address.
Please note: You must confirm this is a privately rented property.
After selecting the address, you can then specify how many tenants live in the property. The first option is for 1 tenant, and the second option is for 2 or more tenants.
Then, following the prompts and continuing with the selection process, the platform will automatically inform you whether the property requires a rental licence. For example, if a licence is not needed, it will state this directly. If a licence is required, it will specify which type of licence is necessary.
The image below shows the result displayed after a query is completed, indicating that this particular property does not require a licence.
The image below shows the type of licence required for the property, displayed after the search is completed.
After the search is completed, if the result indicates that a licence is required, you can click the link provided in the screenshot. This link will direct you to the local council's website, which will have a detailed process for checking whether the landlord has the required licence.
After clicking through, you will be prompted to enter information.
Please note: Some local councils allow online enquiries, but for certain properties, you may need to contact the council by phone. This is often due to how some properties are registered. However, contacting the council directly will provide more definitive information, particularly to confirm whether the property falls under a category that requires a rental licence.
If the property you are renting demonstrably requires a licence but does not have one, you can report this to the local authority. This can typically be done via a link provided after checking on the local council's website, or by contacting the council directly.
Please note: Generally, a landlord who holds a valid licence can serve a 'Section 21 notice' to their tenant, providing at least two months' notice to leave the property without having to give a reason. This notice is used to begin the process of regaining possession, meaning the landlord can legally evict the tenant after the notice period expires, provided the tenant has no other grounds for defence.
Conversely, if a property legally requires a licence and the landlord has not obtained one, any attempted eviction using a Section 21 notice is invalid. Furthermore, for the period the property was without the required licence, the tenant may have the right to apply for a Rent Repayment Order. This is a financial order from a tribunal requiring the landlord to repay up to 12 months' rent to the tenant.
Additionally, if your landlord has not obtained the correct licence, they could face enforcement action from the local council.
(2) Outside London
Contact your local council directly.
Generally, a property will require a licence if it is occupied by five or more persons forming more than one household (a mandatory HMO licence). However, specific types of property or those in designated areas may also require a licence (e.g., under additional or selective licensing schemes). Therefore, you should check with your local council to confirm whether the property you are renting requires a licence.