Burnley Council is asking for views on the future of selective licensing in three parts of the town, and the consultation closes on Sunday 18 October. The proposals would renew licensing in Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and the Leyland Road area, and introduce a new licensing area around Lyndhurst Road. If you let a property in any of these streets, now is the time to understand what could change and have your say. Experienced estate agents in Burnley can help you work out where you stand and what to prepare.
What is selective licensing?
Selective licensing requires private landlords in a designated area to hold a licence for every rented home they own there. The council uses it in neighbourhoods where it has seen evidence of low housing demand or poor property conditions, alongside higher levels of private renting, antisocial behaviour and empty homes. The aim is to raise management standards across the private rented sector, not simply to add another layer of paperwork.
What is being proposed?
The current schemes in Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and around Leyland Road are due to end on 20 July 2027. The council is consulting on whether to redesignate both areas for a further period, and on adding a brand-new scheme covering the Lyndhurst Road area. Any new designation would normally run for up to five years. Separate schemes already operate in Trinity, Queensgate, Gannow and Daneshouse with Stoneyholme, and these continue until April 2030, as experienced estate agents in Burnley can confirm.
Who needs a licence?
If a proposal goes ahead, every privately rented home inside the boundary would need a licence, with only limited exceptions. These include homes let by the council or a housing association, holiday lets, long leases of more than 21 years and some properties let to family members. For landlords around Lyndhurst Road, this would be a new requirement, so checking whether your property falls inside the proposed boundary is the first step.
What do landlords have to show?
To obtain a licence, landlords must pass a ‘fit and proper person’ test and show that the property is managed to an acceptable standard. Licence conditions include working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms where required and a valid gas safety certificate. The council can also add further conditions. For well-run lettings, much of this will already be in place, but it is worth reviewing your paperwork before any application is due.
What does it cost, and what happens if you don’t apply?
In the current Burnley Wood and Leyland Road schemes, fees range from around £640 to £715 per property for the full term. The council offers a 30% discount on part of the fee for members of its Good Landlord and Agent Scheme, plus a further £100 discount for applications made within six weeks of a scheme starting. Letting without a licence in a designated area is a serious matter. Landlords can face an unlimited fine, a civil penalty of up to £40,000 or a rent repayment order requiring them to pay back rent received.
How can you respond before 18 October?
The consultation is open to landlords, tenants, residents, businesses and community groups. You can take part through the council’s website or contact the licensing team on 01282 475810 or at landlords@burnley.gov.uk. Every response is included in a report to the council’s Executive, so this is a genuine chance to influence the outcome. Whether you support the proposals or have concerns about cost or boundaries, it is worth giving specific, practical feedback.
How can a local letting agent help?
Selective licensing sits alongside wider changes for landlords, including the Renters’ Rights Act, which took effect on 1 May. Keeping on top of it all can be demanding, particularly if you own several properties in different parts of Burnley. Working with knowledgeable letting agents in Burnley can help check whether your homes fall within a licensing area, keep safety certificates up to date and handle applications and renewals on your behalf. Hilton & Horsfall’s lettings team manages properties across Burnley and understands how these schemes work in practice.
Gavin Hilton at Hilton & Horsfall, commented:
“Selective licensing is designed to lift standards, and good landlords have nothing to fear from it. The key is being prepared. If you let a home in Burnley Wood, Leyland Road or Lyndhurst Road, check your boundaries, get your certificates in order and make sure your voice is heard before the consultation closes.”
If you are a landlord in Burnley and want to understand how these proposals could affect your property, get in touch with Hilton & Horsfall today for friendly, practical lettings advice from a team that knows the town well.