Licences for single households (selective licences)
Selective licensing of residential accommodation under part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 is intended to ensure that all properties let in the private rented sector are of a good standard, well maintained and well managed. It applies to all private rented properties within the borough that are not a house in multiple occupation (HMO). It is a tool to deliver sustainable improvements to private rented accommodation, increasing the quality of existing stock in the private rented sector in terms of both physical conditions and management standards.
Planning Permission
An application for a property licence is not one for planning permission. You will need planning permission if you are changing your property from a single-family property to a house in multiple occupation (HMO). You also need planning permission if you are splitting up a property into smaller self-contained units of accommodation. Please contact the our Planning Department or seek independent legal advice if you are unclear whether you have the correct planning permission for the development you intend to rent out.
Selective licence fees
All fees are applicable on application for a licence, renewal of a licence and change of licence holder.
| Service | Selective |
|---|---|
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Previously licensed applicants A landlord who is considered a fit and proper person, has held a licence with LBBD in the previous scheme and has not been subject to any enforcement or legal action including conviction, caution or civil penalty, maybe eligible for a 50% reduction in the Part B fee only. If you have been subject to any enforcement action you will not receive the discount on any of your properties. |
All applicants will be required to pay Part A of £470, Part B is £430 |
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New application |
All applicants will be required to pay Part A of £470, Part B is £430 |
|
1 year application and renewal Landlords with previous management contraventions or who are of concern (a person who has or is being investigated for fraud relating to tenancies or is subject to enforcement action or prosecution relating to contraventions under the Housing Acts and associated regulations) will be charged the full fee for a 1 year licence or renewal. |
All applicants will be required to pay Part A of £470, Part B is £430 |
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Change of licence holder The fee for changing the licence holder is the same as the full fee for the licence. |
All applicants will be required to pay Part A of £470, Part B is £430 |
Licence variation fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Change of address details of any existing licence holder, manager, owner, mortgagor, freeholder, leaseholder etc | Free |
| Change of mortgagor, owner, freeholder, and leaseholder (unless they are also the licence holder or manager) | Free |
| Reduction in the number of maximum occupiers and/or households for licensing purposes | Free |
| Variation of licence instigated by the council | Free |
| Change of manager (unless they are also the licence holder) | Free |
| Reprinting of lost licence | £11 |
| Revocation of licence | Free |
| Application for licence following revocation of licence | Full application fee |
| Application refused by the council | Full application fee with no refund |
| Application withdrawn by the applicant | Full application fee with no refund |
| Application made in error by someone out of borough | No fee, and a refund will be made |