Charnwood landlord fined £29,000 for a single unlicensed property

A landlord in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire was fined £29,000 for operating a single property without the required selective licence. With legal costs added, the total bill approached £50,000.

The case is notable because it involved just one property, not a portfolio of dozens. The fine reflects the seriousness with which courts now treat licensing offences, particularly where landlords have been given opportunities to comply and have failed to do so.

The maths of non-compliance

A selective licence typically costs between £750 and £1,500 and lasts up to five years. The fine for not having one can be up to £30,000 per property under current rules, rising to £40,000 under the Renters' Rights Act. Add rent repayment orders of up to two years of rent, and the financial case for compliance is overwhelming.

For a property generating £800 per month in rent, a landlord without a licence could face up to £40,000 in civil penalties plus £19,200 in rent repayment orders, a total exposure of nearly £60,000, compared to a licence fee of perhaps £1,000.

Check your obligations

If you are unsure whether your property requires a selective or additional licence, check with your local council. New schemes are being introduced regularly. There were 49 new schemes in 2025 alone, with 16 more already planned for 2026.