Property licensing continues to expand across England, and the NRLA’s January 2026 update confirms what many landlords are already experiencing more councils, more schemes and more enforcement.
Licensing isn’t new, but it is wider, more detailed and less forgiving if you miss something. Below, we’ve set out exactly which licensing schemes are active or coming into force and what landlords should be aware of.
Why licensing deserves attention in 2026
Local authorities can introduce licensing to improve standards in the private rented sector. While the intention may be well-meaning, the practical reality is that many landlords are caught out simply because they didn’t realise their property was included.
A key point is this:
Councils are not required to contact individual landlords.
The responsibility to check, apply, renew and comply always sits with the landlord.
Licensing schemes confirmed in the NRLA 2026 update
The following schemes were highlighted as live, starting, or confirmed for early 2026.
Woking Borough Council - Additional Licensing
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Borough-wide additional licensing scheme
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Covers all private rented homes
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Licence fee: approximately £830 + £10 per bedroom
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Discounts available for accredited landlords, charities and not-for-profits
Leeds City Council - Selective Licensing
Selective licensing covering the following wards:
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Armley
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Beeston & Holbeck
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Burmantofts & Richmond Hill
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Gipton & Harehills
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Hunslet & Riverside
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Farnley & Wortley
Licence fee: £1,100
Discounts available for Leeds Rental Standard members.
Peterborough City Council - Additional Licensing
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City-wide additional licensing scheme
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Licence fee: £1,100
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Applications managed through the Home Safe platform
London Borough of Brent - Additional Licensing
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Borough-wide additional licensing scheme
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Licence fee: £840
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Discounts available for members of the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme
Thurrock Council - Selective Licensing
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Selective licensing covering 16 wards
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Licence fee: £1,034.90
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Ward-level detail is published by the council directly
London Borough of Islington - Additional Licensing
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Borough-wide additional licensing scheme
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Licence fee: £335 per bedroom
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Discounts available for accredited landlords
Reading Borough Council - Additional Licensing
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Borough-wide additional licensing scheme
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Comes into force from March 2026
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Expected licence fee around £950
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council - Selective Licensing
Selective licensing covering parts of:
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Town Centre / Eastwood / Clifton / Boston Castle
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Masbrough / Kimberworth
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Thurcroft
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Dinnington
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Brinsworth
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Parkgate
Licence fee: £975
Discounts available in some circumstances.
London Borough of Hackney - Selective and Additional Licensing
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Borough-wide additional licensing scheme
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Selective licensing covering 17 wards
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Licence fees:
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£1,400 (additional licensing)
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£925 (selective licensing)
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Areas under consultation
The NRLA update also highlighted councils consulting on new or renewed schemes, which landlords should keep under review:
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London Borough of Hillingdon – consultation on a borough-wide HMO licensing scheme
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London Borough of Croydon – consultation on:
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Selective licensing across 14 wards
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Borough-wide additional licensing
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Oxford City Council – consultation on renewal of its additional licensing scheme
Consultation does not mean “no action required”. Once schemes are approved, implementation can be swift.
Licensing is about more than applying
One of the most common issues we see is landlords assuming that having a licence is enough.
In reality, licences often include conditions around:
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Safety certification and inspection intervals
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Occupancy limits
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Property standards
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Management arrangements
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Record keeping
Missing a condition can be just as costly as not having a licence at all.
“We’re increasingly seeing landlords penalised not for avoiding licensing, but for missing a condition they didn’t realise applied,” says Lisa Bailey, Director at Personal Economy Lettings.
A final word for landlords
Licensing requirements are now area-specific, detailed and actively enforced. What applied last year may not apply this year and neighbouring streets can fall under entirely different rules.
If you’re self-managing, it’s worth taking time to:
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Check whether your property is in a licensed area
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Confirm which scheme applies
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Review licence conditions and expiry dates
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Keep clear, organised records
Staying compliant doesn’t have to be stressful but it does need attention.
