Which areas are covered
| Scheme | Area | Runs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective licensing | Designated streets within Bretton, Central, East, Fletton and Stanground, Fletton and Woodston, North, Orton Waterville, Park, Paston and Walton, and Stanground South wards | 11 March 2024 to 10 March 2029 | £908 (Part A £538 on application, Part B £370 before the licence is issued) |
| Additional HMO licensing | Whole city | 26 January 2026 to 25 January 2031 | £1,100 (Part A £588, Part B £512) |
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Whole city (HMOs with 5 or more people forming 2 or more households) | not published to no end date | £1,100 (Part A £367, Part B £733, both paid on application) |
Check your street on the council map →
Do I need a licence?
- An HMO with five or more people forming two or more households: yes, mandatory HMO licence.
- A smaller HMO inside an additional licensing area: yes, additional licence.
- Any privately rented home inside a selective licensing area: yes, selective licence.
How to apply and what it costs
Apply on the Peterborough City Council website. Published fees: Selective licensing £908 (Part A £538 on application, Part B £370 before the licence is issued); Additional HMO licensing £1,100 (Part A £588, Part B £512); Mandatory HMO licensing £1,100 (Part A £367, Part B £733, both paid on application).
Penalties for letting without a licence
Peterborough states that landlords with unlicensed properties can face a financial penalty notice of up to £40,000 or an unlimited fine from the court, and could be ordered to repay up to 24 months' rent; breaching licence conditions can lead to a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence.
What else to know about Peterborough City Council
- Peterborough's selective and additional schemes are administered by Home Safe, the council's delivery partner, and applications go directly through the Home Safe website.
- All selective licences expire at the end of the scheme on 10 March 2029, and all additional licences on 25 January 2031, whenever they were issued.
- Selective licences held for HMOs with three or four occupants are passported automatically into the additional licensing scheme, so you do not need both licences.
- The council says it may take up to 26 weeks after a complete application to grant or refuse a selective licence, followed by a 14-day consultation on the draft.
- Licences cannot be transferred; a change of licence holder needs a new application and fee.
- The Secretary of State approved the selective licensing scheme on 4 December 2023; a previous scheme ran from 2016 to 2021.
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 Peterborough City Council have selective licensing?
Yes, in these areas: Designated streets within Bretton, Central, East, Fletton and Stanground, Fletton and Woodston, North, Orton Waterville, Park, Paston and Walton, and Stanground South wards. Check your street on the council’s map.
Does Peterborough City Council have additional HMO licensing?
Yes: Whole city.
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://home-safe.org.uk/landlords/licence-schemes/pcc-selective-licensing