Landlord licensing schemes by council
Short answer: Licensing is set council by council, so two streets a mile apart can have different rules. This table lists the schemes we have checked against the council's own pages, with the dates and a link to the source. If a council isn't here yet, check its website directly.
We only add a row when we have a council source to link to, and each row shows the date we last checked it. Schemes change, get extended or end early, so always confirm with the council for your exact address before you act. Licensing sits alongside the national PRS database, not instead of it.
| Council | Scheme type | Dates | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of York Council | Mandatory HMO licensing, citywide (5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing facilities) | Ongoing | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
| City of York Council | Additional HMO licensing in eight wards (3 or 4 people from more than one household) | 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028, unless the council ends it earlier | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
| Norwich City Council | Mandatory HMO licensing (5 or more tenants forming 2 or more households) | Ongoing | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
| Cambridge City Council | Mandatory HMO licensing (5 or more people forming 2 or more households) | Ongoing | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
| Ipswich Borough Council | Mandatory HMO licensing (5 or more people from different households) | Ongoing | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
| Telford and Wrekin Council | Mandatory HMO licensing; licence usually 5 years | Ongoing | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
| Telford and Wrekin Council | Additional licensing, borough-wide: designated, then revoked | Approved by Cabinet 14 May 2026; revoked on 11 September 2026, with effect from 15 September 2026 | Council revocation notice | 2 November 2026 |
| Worcester City Council | Additional HMO licensing, citywide (all HMOs licensed, including 3 or 4 person HMOs) | 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2030 | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
| Worcester City Council | Earlier additional HMO licensing schemes (ended) | Five wards from 1 September 2020; ten more wards from 6 September 2023 to 31 August 2025 | Council source | 2 November 2026 |
Check with the council before you apply. Schemes change.
Want the PRS database dates for your area too? See our PRS database planned dates by region and the landlord licensing guide.
General guidance for UK landlords, not legal advice. Council licensing schemes and their dates are set by each council and can change. Always check the council's own pages for your address.