LandlordLuton: selective licensing and additional HMO licensing for landlords
Luton council runs selective licensing and additional HMO licensing schemes on top of the national mandatory HMO licence. Not every scheme covers the whole council area, so check the exact address. We checked the details below against the council's website on 2 October 2026.
Additional HMO licensing
| Scheme | Additional licensing for HMOs |
|---|---|
| Area covered | The whole town |
| Dates | In force since 1 June 2026. Runs until 4 February 2029. |
| Who needs a licence | Smaller HMOs that the mandatory rule misses, usually 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households sharing facilities, and some converted blocks of flats. |
| Note | Covers HMOs with 3 or 4 people forming 2 or more households. When we checked, the council said its application system was unavailable and it would not enforce until applications reopen. |
Selective licensing
| Scheme | Selective licensing |
|---|---|
| Area covered | The Town Centre and Park Town areas of Luton |
| Dates | In force since 1 June 2026. Runs until 4 February 2029. |
| Who needs a licence | Almost every privately rented home in the designated area, HMO or not. |
| Note | When we checked, the council said its application system was unavailable and it would not enforce until applications reopen. |
Mandatory HMO licensing applies too
Everywhere in England, a property rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household, where some or all share a toilet, bathroom or kitchen and at least 1 tenant pays rent, needs a mandatory HMO licence. A licence lasts up to 5 years, and each property needs its own. HMO licensing explained
How to check your address
- Ward- or street-level schemes need the exact address. Use the council's map or address checker on its official page, because ward boundaries and postcodes don't line up.
- Exemptions exist, for example homes let by housing associations and some student accommodation. The council's page lists them.
- Not sure which council the property is in? Look it up by postcode in the property licensing checker.
Your PRS database deadline in East of England
Luton is in the East of England region. The "Register your rental property" service opens there on 15 January 2027, and every let property must be registered by 14 April 2027. Registration asks for each property's licence number, so have it ready. East of England registration deadline and checklist
If you let without the right licence
Letting an unlicensed HMO can mean an unlimited fine on prosecution or a council civil penalty instead, and tenants or the council can apply for a Rent Repayment Order. Councils' own pages describe the same consequences for selective licensing.
Other East of England councils with licensing schemes
Bedford · Great Yarmouth · Peterborough · Southend-on-Sea · Thurrock
Something out of date?
Councils change schemes, and the details here can lag behind. If you spot a change, email [email protected] with a link to the council's page.
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Sources: Luton council licensing page and the scheme pages linked above (checked 2 October 2026); GOV.UK House in multiple occupation licence; MHCLG, Get ready: Register your rental property. Not legal advice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Checked against GOV.UK on 2 October 2026. Rules change — always confirm on GOV.UK.