Landlord Licensing Guide

Bristol City Council has a live landlord licensing scheme

Unitary · South West · Last researched 2026-08-28

Selective licensing in Bristol City Council

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Selective licensing - Bishopston & Ashley Down, Cotham, Easton; coverage: partial; fee: £912 (Total (5-year licence)), £467 (Part 1 on application), £445 (Part 2 before issue)

Designated areas: Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham, Easton. Partial-coverage schemes only apply on specific streets — check the council's own boundary map for your exact address.

High confidence — verified on the council's own site. Sources: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licences/licence-fees-extra-charges-and-discounts/additional-hmo-and-selective-property-licence-fees · https://www.kammadata.com/uk-property-guide/property-licensing-guide-for-bristol/

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Selective licensing - Bedminster & Brislington West; coverage: partial; fee: £799 (Total (5-year licence)), £499 (Part 1 on application), £300 (Part 2 before issue)

Designated areas: Bedminster, Brislington West. Partial-coverage schemes only apply on specific streets — check the council's own boundary map for your exact address.

Additional licensing in Bristol City Council

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Citywide additional (HMO) licensing; coverage: citywide; fee: £1861 (First-time licence total), £1023 (Part 1 on application), £838 (Part 2 before issue)

High confidence — verified on the council's own site. Sources: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licences/licence-fees-extra-charges-and-discounts/additional-hmo-and-selective-property-licence-fees · https://letsrentbristol.co.uk/bristols-new-hmo-licensing-schemes/

National obligations that apply everywhere in England

These apply regardless of Bristol City Council's own licensing rules — every England landlord is on the hook for these:

Annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — Any property with gas — unlimited fine and/or imprisonment on conviction if missing.
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Every rental property — a live legal requirement in England since 2020.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — Every rental property — currently rated E or above to be let legally.
Tenancy deposit protection — Any deposit taken — must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
Right to Rent checks — Every tenant — landlords must verify immigration status before letting.
PRS Landlord Database registration — Phasing in nationally 2026–2028 under the Renters' Rights Act — a new, separate requirement from council licensing.

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Information, not legal advice. Compiled from public sources on 2026-08-28; licensing schemes change on a weeks-to-months cadence, not annually, so always confirm directly with Bristol City Council before relying on this for a real letting decision. Overall confidence for this page: medium.