Salford City Council's Additional HMO Licensing scheme for three and four person HMOs expires on 19 July 2026. All current licences will cease on that date. A separate S.257 Additional HMO Licensing consultation covering poorly converted flat buildings closed on 15 April 2026 and a decision is awaited.
Scheme expiry. Salford City Council's Additional HMO Licensing scheme commenced on 19 July 2021 and will last for five years; all licences will end on 19 July 2026.
Under the scheme, private landlords who rent out a three or four person small HMO property in Salford are required to obtain a licence from the council, subject to any statutory exemptions. Landlords should contact Salford City Council's Landlord Licensing Team urgently to confirm the position after 19 July 2026, as no publicly confirmed renewal designation has been identified at the time of this update.
S.257 Additional HMO Licensing consultation. Separately, Salford City Council proposed a major new step to improve housing standards in the city, tabling papers proposing a citywide Additional HMO Licensing scheme covering Section 257 HMOs ahead of the council's Cabinet meeting.
The consultation commenced on 4 February 2026 and ran for ten weeks until 15 April 2026; all consultation results will be published once responses have been reviewed. This scheme targets buildings poorly converted into flats under s.257 of the Housing Act 2004, which fall outside the existing additional licensing scope.
Criminal liability. It is a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence. A landlord will also commit a criminal offence if they fail to comply with any of the conditions of a licence. Once the current scheme expires on 19 July 2026, the position for 3?4 person HMOs will depend on whether a successor scheme has been designated in time. Landlords should monitor the council's licensing pages closely over the coming weeks.
Wider Salford context. Salford also operates selective licensing in parts of the Barton & Winton and Eccles wards (running until 31 August 2027), and has previously consulted on a third selective licensing scheme covering parts of Broughton and Kersal, with a decision to launch in early 2026 previously reported. Under the RRA from 1 May 2026, enforcement penalties for operating without a required licence are now a maximum of ?40,000 and tenants may claim up to 24 months' rent via a Rent Repayment Order.
Action required
Confirm with Salford City Council whether a renewed Additional HMO Licensing scheme will be in place from 20 July 2026 onwards. Do not assume your current licence remains valid after 19 July 2026. Operating without a required licence is a criminal offence.
Effective
2026-07-19
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