Blackpool Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Blackpool
Blackpool currently operates selective licensing in 8 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 20 October 2026.
This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Blackpool is in the North West registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 May 2027: see how the North West registration window affects letting agents.
Blackpool Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Blackpool property is already licensed, search the council’s public register of licensed properties on its self-service portal. To check whether a property needs a licence at all, use the checker below.
Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.
Not sure whether a Blackpool property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Blackpool property →What are the licensing requirements for Blackpool?
Mandatory licensing in Blackpool
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Blackpool (and all of England) to larger HMOs. These are properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in Blackpool?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed. That means a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Blackpool does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme; larger HMOs are covered by the national mandatory HMO scheme.
Do I need a selective licence in Blackpool?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Blackpool operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Selective licensing: 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030, covering Bloomfield, Brunswick, Claremont, Talbot, Tyldesley, Victoria, Warbreck and Waterloo.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Blackpool Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence | £772 per property |
| Mandatory HMO licence | £1,176 per property |
Fees as published by the council, verified 20 July 2026; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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Blackpool Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Blackpool operate?
Blackpool Council operates selective licensing in 8 inner wards, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to HMOs of five or more people. The council does not operate additional HMO licensing.
Do all properties in Blackpool need a licence?
Not all Blackpool properties need a licence. Selective licensing in the 8 inner wards covers privately rented homes in those wards. Elsewhere in Blackpool, only HMOs of five or more people need a mandatory HMO licence.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
A Blackpool property that needs a licence and has none can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for Blackpool property licences on behalf of landlords. The council’s selective licence application asks for an electrical installation condition report, a gas safety certificate where applicable, and an EPC.
How do I apply for a Blackpool property licence?
Apply through Blackpool Council’s online licensing service. The selective licence fee is £772 for a single household, paid in two parts: £354 for processing and £418 for enforcement. Details are on the council’s fee page.
Why did Blackpool introduce selective licensing?
Blackpool Council introduced selective licensing in its 8 inner wards to encourage improvement in rented accommodation and address poor property management and antisocial behaviour. The Secretary of State approved it on 15 November 2024.
Does Blackpool have additional HMO licensing?
No. Blackpool Council states additional licensing is not in operation. HMOs of five or more people are covered by the national mandatory HMO scheme, which costs £1,176 for a first application and £903 for a renewal.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Blackpool?
Blackpool Council attaches conditions to each HMO licence covering fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. See the council’s housing licences page for the HMO requirements.
About Blackpool
Blackpool has 21 wards. Selective licensing covers the 8 inner wards: Bloomfield, Brunswick, Claremont, Talbot, Tyldesley, Victoria, Warbreck and Waterloo. The Secretary of State approved the scheme on 15 November 2024. It came into force on 1 April 2025 and ends on 31 March 2030.
The council’s stated aim is to encourage improvement to meet demand for good quality rented accommodation. It does not operate additional HMO licensing.
Licensing Enforcement in Blackpool
Blackpool Council set 1 October 2025 as the deadline for selective licence applications. On 19 March 2026 it reported that more than 4,500 of about 9,000 homes in the scheme had registered, and said unlicensed properties risk prosecution or fines for landlords.
The council lists civil penalties of up to £40,000, Interim Management Orders and Rent Repayment Orders as its enforcement tools. A rent repayment order can be up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
