Draft for approval only, Thursday 1 October 2026
Hello Preston landlords.
If you own a privately rented property in Preston, check whether it sits within the proposed selective licensing area. Preston City Council is consulting on a scheme covering the City Centre, St Matthew’s and Plungington wards.
The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 11 October 2026.
The scheme is not yet in force. However, landlords in the affected areas should understand the proposal, respond to the consultation and review their compliance now.
Visit Preston City Council’s consultations page for the council’s latest information and response instructions.
What is selective licensing?
Selective licensing requires privately rented homes in a designated area to hold a licence.
Unlike mandatory HMO licensing, selective licensing is not limited to shared houses or properties occupied by several unrelated tenants. If the scheme is confirmed, it would apply to qualifying privately rented homes within the designated wards, subject to the final decision and scheme terms.
A licence would typically include conditions covering:
- Property management.
- Health and safety.
- Repairs and maintenance.
- Tenant referencing.
- Tenancy records.
- Waste management.
- Anti-social behaviour.
- Communication with tenants and the council.
The aim is to improve housing standards and management across areas where the council has identified concerns.
For landlords, this means more than paying a fee. You would need to demonstrate that the property is managed properly and that required documents, checks and safety arrangements are in place.
Which Preston areas are included in the proposal?
The proposed scheme covers privately rented homes in three Preston wards:
- City Centre
- St Matthew’s
- Plungington
Check your property’s exact ward before assuming that the scheme does or does not apply. Ward boundaries do not always follow the descriptions people use for local neighbourhoods.
Use the council’s mapping and consultation information to check the position of each property. If you own several properties, review every address separately.
Do not rely only on a postcode, letting advert or tenant information. Confirm the relevant ward through the council’s official information.
What licence fee has been proposed?
Preston City Council has proposed a total fee of £1,050 for a licence lasting up to five years.
The proposed payment structure is:
- Part A: £470 when you apply.
- Part B: £580 once the council is minded to grant the licence.
This is a proposal. It is not a confirmed charge, and landlords do not currently need to pay the fee.
The final fee, payment arrangements and licence requirements could change after the consultation and the council’s decision-making process. Treat the £1,050 figure as the current consultation proposal, not as a confirmed cost.
If the scheme is approved, factor the cost into your property budget. Also allow time for any improvements, paperwork or management changes that may be required before a licence is granted.
The scheme is not yet in force
This point matters.
Preston’s selective licensing scheme remains at the consultation stage. The consultation opened on 27 July 2026 and closes on 11 October 2026 at 11.59pm.
The council must consider responses before deciding whether to proceed. The final scheme may differ from the current proposal.
At present:
- You do not need to apply for this proposed licence.
- You do not need to pay the proposed £1,050 fee.
- You should not describe the scheme as already active.
- You should continue meeting all existing landlord responsibilities.
Landlords can respond directly to Preston City Council before the deadline. Read the consultation information carefully, answer the questions fully and keep a copy of your response.
What would a licence mean in practice?
If the scheme is confirmed, landlords would need to apply for a licence for each qualifying privately rented home in the designated areas.
The council could then assess whether the property and its management arrangements meet the required standards.
Before any application process begins, prepare the following:
Review property safety
Check that your property has current:
- Gas safety documentation.
- Electrical safety documentation.
- Energy Performance Certificate.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm arrangements.
- Fire safety measures appropriate to the property.
- Repair and maintenance records.
Resolve outstanding issues. Do not wait for a licence application to expose gaps in your records.
Review tenant checks
Make sure your letting process includes appropriate:
- Tenant referencing.
- Right to Rent checks.
- Contact details.
- Tenancy documentation.
- Deposit protection information.
- Records of communications and repairs.
If you use a letting agent or property manager, ask for confirmation of how these checks are recorded and stored.
Review property management
Check how you handle:
- Repairs.
- Complaints.
- Emergency contact arrangements.
- Inspections.
- Waste and refuse issues.
- Reports of anti-social behaviour.
- Tenant communication.
A selective licence may include specific management conditions. Good records will help you demonstrate that you are managing the property responsibly.
Selective licensing does not replace existing duties
A selective licence would sit alongside your current legal responsibilities. It would not replace them.
Landlords must continue to comply with the wider private rented sector rules, including:
- The Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
- Gas safety requirements.
- Electrical safety requirements.
- Energy Performance Certificate rules.
- Tenancy deposit protection.
- Right to Rent checks.
- Repair and property condition duties.
- Rules covering possession and eviction.
The Renters’ Rights Act changes are particularly important. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026. Landlords now need to use the relevant Section 8 grounds and follow the correct process when seeking possession.
Do not assume that obtaining a selective licence would give you additional possession rights. It would not replace the correct legal process.
If you are unsure about possession, notices or compliance, obtain specialist legal advice before taking action.
Plan for the future EPC C standard
The current minimum legal energy efficiency standard for most domestic privately rented properties remains EPC E, unless a valid exemption applies.
The government has confirmed a direction of travel towards EPC C by 1 October 2030. The future framework is expected to include a proposed £10,000 cost cap and penalties of up to £30,000, subject to final regulations.
This is not the current legal minimum. Do not present EPC C as a requirement that already applies to every rental property.
Use the proposed deadline for forward planning instead.
Review each property’s EPC. Identify likely improvement work. Consider the cost, timing and effect on tenants. Early planning can help you avoid rushed work, unexpected void periods and unnecessary expense.
The 2030 requirements may still develop. Check the latest government guidance before committing to a major programme of improvements.
Five steps Preston landlords should take now
Follow this checklist before 11 October.
1. Check the property’s ward
Confirm whether each privately rented home is in the City Centre, St Matthew’s or Plungington ward.
2. Read the council’s consultation information
Review the proposed area, licence conditions, fee structure and supporting documents.
3. Respond before the deadline
Submit your views directly to Preston City Council by 11.59pm on Sunday 11 October 2026.
4. Audit your paperwork
Check your safety certificates, EPC, deposit records, Right to Rent evidence, tenancy documents and repair history.
5. Get advice before the scheme is confirmed
Ask a qualified adviser or professional property manager to review any gaps. Use the consultation period to prepare, but do not apply for or pay for a licence that has not yet been introduced.
How Reid & Co Property Group can help
Regulatory changes require consistent records, prompt action and local knowledge.
Reid & Co Property Group provides lettings and full property management services for landlords across Preston and Lancashire. We can help you review your property management arrangements, organise compliance information and prepare for changes affecting the private rented sector.
Whether you manage one property or a larger portfolio, take action before the consultation deadline. Contact our team for clear, practical landlord and property management advice from a local estate agency in Lancashire.
This article is for general information only. The proposed selective licensing scheme is not yet in force, and the fee and conditions may change. Obtain appropriate legal or professional advice about your individual circumstances.
