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Selective Licensing

A landlord's guide

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What is Selective Licensing?

Selective licensing is a scheme introduced by local councils that requires landlords to obtain a licence for each rental property in designated areas. The aim is to:

  • Improve housing standards

  • Tackle poor property conditions

  • Ensure landlords are managing properties properly

  • Improve local communities

If your property falls within a licensing area, you must apply for a licence to legally let it.

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UK map with coloured pins marking various locations across England, including cities such as London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Southampton
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Selective Licensing in Leicester City

Leicester City Council introduced its scheme in October 2022, covering several areas

Key Details

  • Westcotes, Fosse, Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields, Stoneygate & Saffron

  • Licence required for each rental property in designated areas

  • Scheme runs until October 2027

  • Cost: around £1,290 per property

  • Includes inspections and “fit and proper person” checks

Check If Your Property Needs a Licence
Get Help Staying Compliant
Map of London showing selective school catchment areas including Beaumont Leys, Rushey Mead, Abbey, Belgrave, Troon, Humberstone & Hamilton, North Evington, Thurncourt, Wycliffe, Spinney Hills, Evington, Fosse, Westcross, Saffron, Castle, Stoneygate, Knighton, Eyres Monsell, Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields, and Aylestone

Selective Licensing in Oadby & Wigston

Oadby & Wigston Borough Council is introducing a new selective licensing scheme from November 2025, covering parts of Wigston and South Wigston

Key Details

  • Started 10 November 2025

  • Applies to privately rented homes in designated streets

  • Licence duration: typically 5 years

  • Cost: around £850 (discounts available)

Check if your property needs a licence
Get help staying compliant
Map showing South Wigston area with blue boundary outline and reference number 3861269-53063

What Happens if You Don’t Comply?

Failing to obtain a licence can result in:

  • Fines of up to £30,000

  • Rent Repayment Orders (repaying tenants up to 12–24 months’ rent)

  • Inability to legally serve notice in some cases

  • In short—being unlicensed puts your entire tenancy at risk

Common Mistakes Landlords Make

01

Not realising their property is in a licensing area

02

Delaying the application

03

Missing key documents

04

Assuming their agent is handling it (when they’re not)

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How We Help Landlords Stay Compliant

At Knightsbridge, we work with landlords across Leicester, Oadby, and Wigston to make sure everything is handled properly.

Check

if your property requires a licence

Manage

the full application process

Prepare

required documents

Liaise

with the council

Selective licensing is here—and it’s expanding.

If you’re unsure whether your property is affected, or you want to make sure everything is in order, it’s always better to check early rather than deal with issues later.

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