HMO licensing in Blackpool

Which licences a rented house needs in Blackpool, and where. England. Checked 7 September 2026.

Blackpool runs selective licensing on top of mandatory licensing.

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing

Extends HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) in a designated area.

None found

Housing licences page marks Additional Licensing as '(currently not in operation)'. A previous central area selective and additional scheme ran 2016 to 2021 (page title in council site index, not fetched).

Selective licensing

Every privately rented home in a designated area needs a licence, HMO or not.

StatusIn forceWherenamed areas: inner area of Blackpool covering Bloomfield, Brunswick, Claremont, Talbot, Tyldesley, Warbreck, Waterloo and Victoria wardsDesignated1 April 2025

Secretary of State approved 15 November 2024; scheme began 1 April 2025 with applications required by 1 October 2025; approx 7,000 properties; end date not stated. Source: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Business/Licensing-and-permits/Housing-licences/Selective-licensing/Selective-licensing.aspx

Council HMO page · HMO Article 4 in Blackpool

Check an exact postcode for Article 4

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.

Add to Chrome

Sources: Blackpool council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.