Do I need an HMO licence in Salford?

Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Salford runs 1 additional or selective scheme that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address. It also has 1 scheme on our register that is approved or proposed but not confirmed as in force yet.

Which property licensing schemes are active in Salford?

Salford has one scheme in force on our register: Salford Selective Licensing (Broughton & Kersal, Broughton Park) (from January 2026). It can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Approved or proposed, but not confirmed as in force yet: Citywide Additional HMO Licensing — Section 257 HMOs (from 24 November 2026). Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.

How many tenants make a property an HMO in Salford?

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. Salford's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.

What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Salford?

Letting an unlicensed HMO in Salford can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

How much is an HMO licence in Salford?

Salford City Council charges £970 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.

Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Salford?

HMO licence applications in Salford are handled by Salford City Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Salford HMO licensing guide

Salford HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Salford if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Salford's own licensing scheme can also cover smaller lets (details below). Salford City Council's standard fee is £970 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to Salford City Council using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Salford?

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-designatedIn force in Salford
Selective licensingANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsIn force in Salford · See selective licensing in Salford

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

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Salford announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 22 October 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

SelectiveEffective: January 2026

Salford Selective Licensing (Broughton & Kersal, Broughton Park)

Multiple ward selective licensing scheme covering Broughton and Kersal and Broughton Park, in force from 21 January 2026.

Read the original announcement →

ConsultationEffective: Consultation ran 4 February – 15 April 2026; decision pending

Consultation on Additional Licensing for Section 257 HMOs (Borough-Wide)

Salford City Council is consulting on a new borough-wide Additional Licensing scheme covering Section 257 HMOs (converted flat blocks); consultation ran 4 February to 15 April 2026, decision pending.

Read the original announcement →

Additional HMOEffective: 24 November 2026 to 24 November 2031

Citywide Additional HMO Licensing — Section 257 HMOs (from 24 November 2026)

Designated 11 August 2026: all Section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats not meeting Building Regulations, under two-thirds owner-occupied) across Salford need a licence for five years. Affects landlords and owners of such converted blocks.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Salford-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.
Letting an unlicensed HMO can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 (up from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026) or prosecution, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

Run the free HMO checker

Licence fee: £970 for a first mandatory HMO licence (5-bedroom, 5-person HMO, standard fee) — council source, checked 14 October 2026. Compare HMO licence fees across 71 councils

Manage the HMO in RentFig — rooms, licensing checks, certificates.

HMO licensing in Salford — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Salford?: Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Salford runs 1 additional or selective scheme that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address. It also has 1 scheme on our register that is approved or proposed but not confirmed as in force yet.
Which property licensing schemes are active in Salford?: Salford has one scheme in force on our register: Salford Selective Licensing (Broughton & Kersal, Broughton Park) (from January 2026). It can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Approved or proposed, but not confirmed as in force yet: Citywide Additional HMO Licensing — Section 257 HMOs (from 24 November 2026). Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Salford?: 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. Salford's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Salford?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in Salford can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).
How much is an HMO licence in Salford?: Salford City Council charges £970 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.
Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Salford?: HMO licence applications in Salford are handled by Salford City Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Salford HMO?

Licensed HMOs mean more tenants to vet. Start with RentFig's free tenant credit check form — free, no account needed — then run tenant referencing from £9 per tenant: a credit check, or a £19 full reference with Right to Rent. 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 free See features

HMO licensing in other councils

Compare Salford with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

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