Charnwood Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Charnwood
Charnwood currently operates selective licensing in 4 wards and additional licensing in 24 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 3 July 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?
Charnwood Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Charnwood? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Charnwood and how to apply for a licence.
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.
What are the licensing requirements for Charnwood?
Mandatory licensing in Charnwood
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Charnwood (and all of England) to larger HMOs — 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 Charnwood?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed — a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Charnwood operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Charnwood?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Charnwood operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028 — covering Anstey, Barrow upon Soar, Birstall East & Wanlip, Birstall West, Dishley, Hathern & Thorpe Acre, Forest Bradgate, Loughborough Ashby, Loughborough East, Loughborough Nanpantan, Loughborough Outwoods & Shelthorpe, Loughborough Southfields, Loughborough Storer, Loughborough Woodthorpe, Mountsorrel, Quorn & Mountsorrel Castle, Rothley Brook, Shepshed East, Shepshed West, Sileby & Seagrave, South Charnwood, Syston, The Wolds, Thurmaston and Wreake Valley.
Selective licensing: 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028 — covering Loughborough East, Loughborough Southfields, Loughborough Storer and The Wolds.
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 Charnwood Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a license cost?
Licence fees: see Charnwood Council’s property licensing fees page for current selective, additional and mandatory HMO fees.
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Charnwood Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Charnwood operate?
Charnwood operates selective and additional licensing (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Charnwood need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating an unlicensed property that requires a licence can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, rent repayment orders of up to 24 months, and being unable to serve a Section 21 notice. Letting agents can be held jointly liable.Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Charnwood, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Charnwood property licence?
You can apply through Charnwood Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
How long does an application take?
Processing times vary with the council’s workload and the quality of the application. A complete, correctly prepared application is processed fastest.
Why did Charnwood introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Charnwood introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Charnwood?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Charnwood
Charnwood is a borough in Leicestershire, England, largely within the historic county of Leicestershire, except for a small part near Wymeswold, which lies in Nottinghamshire. The borough is named after Charnwood Forest, an ancient forest in the Midlands. The area includes hills with some of Britain’s oldest rocks, including Bardon Hill, which rises to 912 feet. Loughborough, an industrial town with a modern university, serves as the administrative centre. The borough covers 108 square miles and had a population of 166,100 in 2011.
Licensing Enforcement in Charnwood
Charnwood Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution, civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, and rent repayment orders of up to 24 months — with letting agents jointly liable alongside landlords.
