Preston HMO licensing guide

Preston HMO licence — do you need one?

Preston is currently consulting on private-sector property licensing. There are no confirmed schemes on our register yet, but the consultation may lead to one. This page tracks the latest status.

Which licence do you need in Preston?

England runs three separate regimes. More than one can apply to the same property.

  • Mandatory HMO licenceExplained on this page5 or more occupants from 2+ households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toiletApplies everywhere in England
  • Additional HMO licensingSmaller HMOs the national rules miss — council-designatedNot in force in Preston
  • Selective licensingANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsNot in force in Preston

Preston has an open consultation on property licensing — the position above may change if a new scheme is confirmed.

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Preston announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 31 August 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

ConsultationEffective: Consultation open 27 July 2026, closes 11 October 2026

Proposed Selective Licensing Scheme — City Centre, St Matthew's & Plungington

Preston City Council launched a public consultation on 27 July 2026 proposing selective licensing across three wards: City Centre, St Matthew's and Plungington. If introduced, all private landlords in those wards would be required to obtain a licence (proposed fee £1,050 for five years) and comply with property management conditions.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Preston-specific scheme, you also need to comply with the national mandatory HMO licensing rules under the Housing Act 2004:

  • 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet → mandatory HMO licence required.
  • A household = single person, couple, or family unit. Unrelated sharers each count as a separate household.
  • Unlicensed HMOs face civil penalties up to £40,000 (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026) and Rent Repayment Orders of up to 2 years' rent.
Run the free HMO checker

HMO licensing in Preston — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Preston?
Preston is currently consulting on property licensing. For now only the national mandatory HMO licence applies — you need one if you let to 5 or more people from 2 or more households — but that may change if a scheme is confirmed.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Preston?
The national test is the same across England: 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet need a mandatory licence.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Preston?
Letting an unlicensed HMO in Preston can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence — the maximum rose from £30,000 on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent and a criminal record.
Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Preston?
HMO licence applications in Preston are handled by Preston City Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Preston HMO?

Licensed HMOs mean more tenants to vet. Start with RentFig's tenant referencing form — free, no account needed — then run an optional credit check from £9 per tenant. Pay per check, no subscription.

Stay on top of HMO compliance with RentFig

RentFig tracks every HMO licence renewal alongside gas safety, EICR, EPC, fire alarm tests and right-to-rent checks. Email reminders, audit trail, AI assistant on WhatsApp. Free for one property.

Start freeSee features

HMO licensing in other councils

Compare Preston with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Preston schemes and the Housing Act 2004 standard test. It is not legal advice. Council schemes change frequently — always confirm the current position with Preston City Council before letting or applying for a licence.