Landlord Licensing Guide

Manchester City Council has a live landlord licensing scheme

Metropolitan · North West · Last researched 2026-08-28

Selective licensing in Manchester City Council

🔴 IS LIVE NOW

Selective licensing scheme 1; runs 2022-05-01 to 2027-04-30; coverage: partial

Designated areas: Gorton and Abbey Hey, Harpurhey, Clayton and Openshaw. 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.manchester.gov.uk/online-directories/homes-and-property-directories/private-landlords-information-directories/selective-licensing-directories/areas-where-a-selective-licence-is-required · https://www.kammadata.com/uk-property-guide/property-licensing-guide-for-manchester/

🔴 IS LIVE NOW

Selective licensing scheme 2; runs 2023-08-09 to 2028-08-08; coverage: partial

Designated areas: Levenshulme, Moss Side and Whalley Range, Rusholme, The Royals, Longsight. Partial-coverage schemes only apply on specific streets — check the council's own boundary map for your exact address.

🔴 IS LIVE NOW

Selective licensing scheme 3; runs 2025-05-24 to 2030-05-23; coverage: partial

Designated areas: Cheetham (part), Crumpsall (part), Harpurhey (part), Longsight (part), Miles Platting and Newton Heath (part), Moss Side (part). 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.manchester.gov.uk/online-directories/homes-and-property-directories/private-landlords-information-directories/selective-licensing-directories/areas-where-a-selective-licence-is-required · https://www.northerngroup.co.uk/blog-news/selective-licensing-scheme/

Additional licensing in Manchester City Council

⚠ UNVERIFIED

No evidence of an active additional (HMO) licensing scheme found this pass, but not affirmatively confirmed as absent on a council page. Confirm directly with Manchester City Council before letting.

National obligations that apply everywhere in England

These apply regardless of Manchester 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 Manchester City Council before relying on this for a real letting decision. Overall confidence for this page: medium.