Preston landlords could face a £1,050 selective licensing fee for each qualifying rented property under proposals covering three city wards. However, the charge is not yet final: it forms part of a public consultation running until 11.59 pm on Sunday, 11 October 2026.
The proposed licence would last for up to five years and apply to privately rented homes in City Centre, St Matthew’s and Plungington, subject to exemptions.
Landlords would also have to meet enforceable standards covering property safety, repairs, maintenance, waste and tenancy management.
What Is the Preston Selective Landlord License Fee Proposal?
The Preston selective landlord license fee is a proposed £1,050 charge for privately rented properties within three designated wards. If the scheme proceeds, each qualifying home would need its own licence lasting for up to five years.
Selective licensing is an area-based regulatory power available to local housing authorities under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. The statutory selective licensing framework allows a council to designate all or part of its district when the relevant legal conditions are met.
The person managing or controlling a covered property would normally have to apply. This may be the owner, a managing agent or another responsible person who can ensure that licence conditions are followed.
The scheme would sit alongside existing landlord duties rather than replace them. Gas safety, electrical safety, deposit protection, repairs and other statutory responsibilities would continue to apply whether or not a selective licence was required.
Is Preston’s £1,050 Landlord Licence Fee Already Confirmed?
No. Preston City Council has opened a consultation on the proposed scheme, but landlords are not yet required to apply for or pay the £1,050 fee.
The consultation began at 12 pm on Monday, 27 July 2026 and is due to run for at least 10 weeks.
It closes at 11.59 pm on Sunday, 11 October 2026, after which responses will be reviewed and a consultation report prepared. The dates and stated reasons for the proposal appear in the official selective licensing announcement.
Proposal At a Glance
| Detail | Current Proposal |
| Fee | £1,050 per qualifying property |
| Licence period | Up to five years |
| Part A payment | £470 on application |
| Part B payment | £580 before the licence is granted |
| Discounts | None proposed |
| Direct debit | Not proposed |
| Instalments | Not proposed |
| Consultation deadline | 11.59 pm, 11 October 2026 |
A formal decision will follow the consultation. Boundaries, fees, conditions or payment arrangements could therefore be revised before any scheme begins.
Which Preston Properties Could Be Covered by the Scheme?
The proposal is geographically targeted rather than city-wide. A property would generally need to be privately rented, fall within the final designated boundary and not qualify for an exemption.
Council-Named Licensing Areas
The three proposed wards are:
- City Centre
- St Matthew’s
- Plungington
These are the areas named in the official consultation information. Landlords should use the published boundary map instead of relying on secondary reports, as some coverage has referred to different wards.
How Can Landlords Check a Property?
Landlords should check each address against the consultation map, particularly where a home lies close to a ward boundary. A postcode alone may cover addresses on both sides of a designated area, so confirmation should be based on the full address.
Portfolio owners should review properties individually. A landlord with five Preston homes may need three licences rather than five if only three properties fall inside the final boundary.
Possible Property Exemptions
Some properties may be outside selective licensing because they are covered by another statutory regime or fall within a specified exemption. Potential examples include certain publicly managed homes, temporary arrangements and properties already subject to mandatory HMO licensing.
The exact position depends on the property, tenancy and final designation. Landlords should not assume an exemption without checking the eventual scheme documents.
Why Is Preston City Council Proposing Selective Licensing?
The proposal follows evidence of poor housing conditions and related problems in the three wards. Reported concerns include damp and mould, excess cold, disrepair and other hazards, particularly in areas experiencing high deprivation.
Stock-condition modelling by the Building Research Establishment estimated that approximately 16% of privately rented properties in Preston contain Category 1 hazards. These are the most serious risks assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
The private rented sector has also expanded substantially. Council evidence cited in industry coverage indicates that privately rented homes represented around 8% of Preston’s housing stock in 2001, rising to 22.4% by 2021.
Current enforcement is described as largely reactive and complaint-led, meaning intervention commonly begins after a tenant or another person reports a problem.
Licensing would allow officers to seek evidence of compliance earlier and build a clearer picture of privately rented homes in the designated areas.
Councillor Zafar Coupland, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“Everyone deserves to live in a safe, warm and well-managed home.”
He said the targeted approach was based on evidence showing greater housing problems in the three proposed wards.
How Much Could the Preston Licence Cost Portfolio Landlords?
The proposed £1,050 fee would apply to every property that requires a selective licence. It would not be a single charge covering all properties owned by one landlord.
Portfolio Fee Examples
| Qualifying Properties | Fee Per Property | Potential Total |
| 1 | £1,050 | £1,050 |
| 2 | £1,050 | £2,100 |
| 3 | £1,050 | £3,150 |
| 5 | £1,050 | £5,250 |
| 10 | £1,050 | £10,500 |
| 20 | £1,050 | £21,000 |
These calculations use the full proposed fee and assume that every listed property needs a licence. They exclude repair work, inspections, professional support, agent administration and staff time.
The charge is intended to operate on a cost-recovery basis. Part A, costing £470, would cover the application stage and be payable when an application is submitted. Part B, costing £580, would become payable when the council was minded to grant the licence.
A landlord with several affected homes could therefore face a substantial initial cash requirement. Ten properties would produce £4,700 in Part A payments before the later £5,800 balance became due.
What Discounts and Payment Options Could Preston Introduce?
The consultation asks whether the £1,050 fee and proposed payment arrangements are reasonable. The current proposal does not include reductions or alternative payment methods, although consultees can challenge that approach.
Proposed Payment Structure
The two-stage structure separates application processing from the costs associated with granting, monitoring and operating the licence. Part A would be paid on application, while Part B would be requested before the licence was issued.
Payment by direct debit is not proposed. Instalments are also excluded from the current plan, meaning each part would apparently need to be paid when requested rather than spread across monthly payments.
Could Responsible Landlords Receive a Discount?
No discounts are currently proposed, including for accredited landlords, early applicants, compliant properties or owners with multiple homes. That position may concern landlords who argue that their properties already meet required standards.
The consultation gives respondents an opportunity to propose alternatives, such as accreditation reductions, portfolio discounts or staged payment plans. However, landlords assessing possible costs should use the full £1,050 figure unless the final fee policy introduces concessions.
The absence of discounts does not mean the position is settled. The council must consider consultation responses before determining whether the original structure remains proportionate.
What Standards Could a Preston Selective Licence Require?
A successful applicant would need to comply with conditions governing the condition and management of the property. The proposals are intended to make requirements enforceable throughout the licence period.
Potential Compliance Areas
- The property must have appropriate gas, electrical, fire and alarm documentation.
- The licence holder must maintain the structure, installations and supplied facilities.
- Repairs must be handled within reasonable and legally compliant timescales.
- Tenancy and property-management records must be retained.
- Waste-storage and disposal arrangements must be managed appropriately.
- Reasonable steps may be required to address antisocial behaviour.
- The licence holder must satisfy fit-and-proper-person requirements.
- Officers may inspect the home and request supporting documents.
The draft conditions cover property safety, inspections, tenancy management and compliance. Further information is available through the detailed landlord licensing FAQs.
Operating a property that requires a licence without obtaining one would be a criminal offence if the scheme takes effect. Enforcement options and appeal rights would depend on the Housing Act 2004 and the final designation.
How Could the £1,050 Fee Affect Preston Landlords and Tenants?
For landlords, the most immediate effect would be a new fixed cost for each qualifying home. The financial impact would be greatest for owners with several properties, narrow rental margins or homes requiring further investment to meet licence conditions.
The scheme could also increase administration. Landlords may need to assemble certificates, management records, contact information and evidence that repairs have been completed before or during the application process.
Responsible landlords could nevertheless benefit if licensing produces more consistent standards and stronger action against poorly managed properties.
Coupland said the scheme was not intended to penalise those already providing safe, well-managed homes and argued that responsible landlords could gain from a more level playing field.
Tenants may benefit from earlier identification of hazards, clearer management responsibilities and more proactive enforcement. However, concerns may arise about whether higher landlord costs could influence rents, property sales or future investment.
Those outcomes are not automatic. Rent decisions, market supply and investment behaviour will depend on individual finances, wider housing demand and the final licensing terms.
What Should Preston Landlords Do Before the Consultation Ends?
Landlords do not need to submit licence applications yet, but they can assess the proposal, prepare their records and provide evidence before the consultation closes.
Immediate Preparation Checklist
- Check every Preston property against the proposed boundary map.
- Calculate exposure using £1,050 for each potentially covered home.
- Separate the projected £470 and £580 payment stages in cash-flow planning.
- Review gas, electrical, fire-safety and alarm records.
- Inspect for damp, mould, excess cold, disrepair and other hazards.
- Organise tenancy-management, repair and waste records.
- Record concerns about fees, discounts, boundaries or implementation.
- Submit consultation evidence before 11.59 pm on 11 October 2026.
Preparing early will help landlords understand both the financial effect and any work that may be required if the scheme proceeds.
How Can Landlords Submit Feedback?
Responses can be completed through the online survey, emailed to selectivelicensing@preston.gov.uk or posted to the Housing Standards Team, Private Sector Housing, Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 1RL.
Help is available through the Freephone number 0800 122 3945.
Three in-person sessions are scheduled: Plungington on 14 September from 12 pm to 5 pm; City Centre on 15 September from 10 am to 4 pm; and St Matthew’s on 17 September from 10 am to 4 pm.
Five virtual meetings are also listed. Tenant sessions are scheduled for 9 September at 11 am and 6 pm; landlord and agent sessions for 10 September at 11 am and 6 pm; and a partner session for 15 September at 1.30 pm.
What Happens After the Consultation?
The council will review submissions and publish a report addressing the main issues raised. A formal decision-maker will then determine whether the designation should proceed and whether its boundaries, fee or conditions require amendment.
The national Private Rented Sector Database is expected to begin a regional rollout from late 2026. Registration will be mandatory for private landlords and involve an annual fee, although its amount will be confirmed nearer launch; the council says this possible overlap will be considered.
If Preston’s scheme is approved, landlords should receive reasonable advance notice of its commencement date and further guidance on applications.
Conclusion
The Preston selective landlord license fee could create a significant new cost for landlords in City Centre, St Matthew’s and Plungington. At £1,050 for each qualifying property, a portfolio owner’s total exposure could quickly reach several thousand pounds.
However, the scheme remains under consultation rather than approved. Landlords should verify property locations, calculate the two-stage fee, review compliance records and submit evidence before 11 October 2026, particularly if they oppose the absence of discounts or instalment payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Could a Preston Selective Licence Last?
The proposed licence could remain valid for up to five years. A shorter period may be issued in particular circumstances if permitted by the final scheme.
Can a Letting Agent Apply for the Licence?
A managing agent may be able to apply or act as licence holder where it has sufficient responsibility and authority. The final application guidance should explain the evidence required from owners and agents.
What Documents Could Be Required With an Application?
Likely documents include gas and electrical records, alarm information, property details and management contacts. The definitive checklist will be published if the scheme is approved.
Can a Licence Transfer When a Property Is Sold?
A selective licence is generally connected to a named licence holder and does not automatically transfer to a purchaser. A buyer may therefore need to make a new application.
Could a Licence Application Be Refused?
An application may be refused where the proposed licence holder is not considered fit and proper or the management arrangements are unsuitable. Applicants would normally receive reasons and information about applicable appeal rights.
Could Landlords Appeal a Licensing Decision?
Statutory appeal routes can apply to licence refusals, conditions and certain other decisions. The available procedure and deadline would depend on the decision issued and the relevant legislation.
Will Licensing Replace Existing Landlord Duties?
No, selective licensing would operate alongside existing safety, repair, deposit and tenancy obligations. Holding a licence would not remove the need to comply with wider housing law.
Note: The £1,050 charge, scheme boundaries and payment arrangements remain proposals under consultation. They must not be presented as final requirements unless a formal designation is approved and published.
