Do I need a landlord licence in Salford?

Yes — some rentals in Salford need a licence beyond the national HMO rules. Whether yours does depends on the property’s address and who lives there.

Mandatory HMO licensing (national)

Yes, everywhere in England

This is national law, not a council choice: any property rented to 5 or more people who form 2 or more separate households is a licensable HMO anywhere in England. If that describes your property, you need a licence from the council whether or not it runs any local scheme.

Official council source →

Selective licensing in Salford

Yes — a scheme is in force

Two selective licensing designations are in force, both area-based rather than citywide: Eccles, Barton and Winton (1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027) and Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park (commenced 21 January 2026, running five years to 21 January 2031, covering 130+ named streets). If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a selective licence is a criminal offence. Schemes change and new designations appear, so always confirm on the council’s own page before relying on this.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Salford

None that we know of

Salford's citywide additional HMO licensing scheme for 3-4 person HMOs ran from 19 July 2021 and expired on 19 July 2026; the council confirms licences cannot be renewed and a review will decide whether any future scheme is justified. A separate citywide Section 257 additional HMO proposal was consulted on from 4 February to 15 April 2026 but no designation is confirmed. As of our last check we found no additional licensing scheme in Salford — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Is your exact property covered?

Designations in Salford can run street by street. Check where your property stands in 3 minutes — free, no account.

Get your free compliance scoreFull audit + call — £99

Common questions

Do I need a landlord licence in Salford?
It depends on the property: larger HMOs (5 or more people from 2 or more households) always need a mandatory licence anywhere in England, and Salford’s own selective or additional schemes can extend licensing to other rentals — see the current position above.
What happens if I let an unlicensed property in Salford?
Letting a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence: unlimited fines on conviction or civil penalties of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to 12 months’ rent, and restrictions on regaining possession.
How do I check if my exact address is inside a licensing area?
Designations are often street-by-street. Check the map or address checker on Salford’s licensing pages (linked above), or take our free compliance score and we’ll flag licensing as something to verify for your property.
How much does a landlord licence cost?
Fees are set per council and per scheme, typically several hundred pounds per property for a five-year licence. Salford’s current fees are on the official page linked above.
Can LetClerk handle the licence application for me?
Yes — checking your address against current schemes and preparing the application is part of our done-for-you compliance service. Start with the free score or the £99 audit and we’ll take it from there.