Which areas are covered
| Scheme | Area | Runs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective licensing | Gorton and Abbey Hey (Hyde Road and The Ladders), Clayton and Openshaw (Ben Street) and Harpurhey (Trinity) | 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2027 | £798 full fee (£402 application, £396 grant); £694 subsequent application |
| Selective licensing | Rusholme (Laindon/Dickenson Road and Birch Lane), Levenshulme (Matthews Lane), Moss Side (Great Western Street/Claremont Road) and Longsight (The Royals) | 9 August 2023 to 8 August 2028 | £936 full fee (£490 application, £446 grant); £828 subsequent application |
| Selective licensing | Cheetham (flats above shops and Esmond/Avondale area), Crumpsall (Enver Road area), Miles Platting and Newton Heath (Droylsden Road and Scotland Street areas), Longsight (Heathcote/Sanby Road and Northmoor Road areas), Harpurhey (Whiteway Street area) and Moss Side (Viscount Street and Heald Grove areas) | 24 May 2025 to 23 May 2030 | £964 full fee (£469 application, £495 grant); £864 subsequent application (the £764 early-bird rate applied only to applications made 24 February to 23 May 2025) |
Do I need a licence?
- An HMO with five or more people forming two or more households: yes, mandatory HMO licence.
- Any privately rented home inside a selective licensing area: yes, selective licence.
How to apply and what it costs
Apply on the Manchester City Council website. Published fees: Selective licensing £798 full fee (£402 application, £396 grant); £694 subsequent application; Selective licensing £936 full fee (£490 application, £446 grant); £828 subsequent application; Selective licensing £964 full fee (£469 application, £495 grant); £864 subsequent application (the £764 early-bird rate applied only to applications made 24 February to 23 May 2025).
Penalties for letting without a licence
Letting a property that needs a licence without one is an offence. Councils can issue civil penalties or prosecute, and tenants can apply for a rent repayment order.
What else to know about Manchester City Council
- Manchester advises that if a property is an HMO with five or more unrelated occupiers, landlords should check whether they need a mandatory HMO licence instead of a selective licence.
- Manchester selective licence applications are made online; under the council's licensing policy a valid application must include a satisfactory gas safety certificate issued in the last 12 months (if the property has a gas supply).
- An earlier Crumpsall selective licensing designation ended on 12 March 2022; the current Crumpsall scheme, running from 24 May 2025 to 23 May 2030, covers the Enver Road area.
Landlord compliance checklist
Licensing is one part of compliance. Use the compliance checklist, and if you’re starting a tenancy, the compliance pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does Manchester City Council have selective licensing?
Yes, in these areas: Gorton and Abbey Hey (Hyde Road and The Ladders), Clayton and Openshaw (Ben Street) and Harpurhey (Trinity); Rusholme (Laindon/Dickenson Road and Birch Lane), Levenshulme (Matthews Lane), Moss Side (Great Western Street/Claremont Road) and Longsight (The Royals); Cheetham (flats above shops and Esmond/Avondale area), Crumpsall (Enver Road area), Miles Platting and Newton Heath (Droylsden Road and Scotland Street areas), Longsight (Heathcote/Sanby Road and Northmoor Road areas), Harpurhey (Whiteway Street area) and Moss Side (Viscount Street and Heald Grove areas). Check your street on the council’s map.
Does Manchester City Council have additional HMO licensing?
No additional HMO licensing scheme
Do large HMOs need a licence?
Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across England to HMOs occupied by five or more people forming two or more households.
How do I apply?
Apply through the council’s website: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500368/selective_licensing/8187/apply_for_a_selective_licence