Property licensing in the East Midlands
We track 2 councils in the East Midlands. Each one is checked against the council’s own website, most recently on 9 October 2026. Always confirm the exact street on the council’s map before you let a property.
At a glance
- Selective licensing (every privately rented home in the area needs a licence): Leicester City Council, Nottingham City Council.
- Additional HMO licensing (smaller shared houses, usually 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households): Nottingham City Council.
Mandatory HMO licensing applies in every council area in England: a licence is needed for a house shared by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households.
| Council | Schemes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester City Council | Selective licensing | 9 October 2026 |
| Nottingham City Council | Selective licensing, Additional HMO licensing | 9 October 2026 |
Council by council
Leicester City Council
- Selective licensing: Parts of Stoneygate (East Cluster); Westcotes, Fosse, Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields (West Cluster); and Saffron (South Cluster) wards. From 10 October 2022 to 9 October 2027. Fee: £1,290 (£1,032 on application, £258 when the licence is issued).
Full details for Leicester City Council, including how to apply and penalties.
Nottingham City Council
- Selective licensing: Designated parts of the city shown on the council map (not the whole city); check the address with the council property checker. From 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2028. Fee: £950 standard; £759 for accredited landlords (DASH, Unipol or ANUK); £1,318 for less compliant landlords (fees from 1 April 2026, including £290 Part A).
- Additional HMO licensing: Whole city (HMOs with 3 or more people forming 2 or more households not covered by mandatory licensing). From 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2028. Fee: £1,607 standard; £1,210 accredited; £2,180 less compliant (fees from April 2026, including £697 Part A); £29 per bedroom from the 10th bedroom.
Full details for Nottingham City Council, including how to apply and penalties.
How to check whether your property needs a licence
- Find the council for the property’s address. Our licensing checker suggests the likely council from the postcode.
- Check which schemes cover the street. Schemes often cover only some wards, so use the council’s own map or postcode search.
- Apply before you let the property, or as soon as a new scheme starts. Councils can impose a civil penalty or prosecute for an unlicensed property, and tenants can apply for a rent repayment order.
New to this? Read HMO licensing explained, and keep your gas safety, EICR and EPC dates in order with our compliance record. This page is general information, not legal advice.