Leicester City Council is the licensing and planning authority for Leicester. We confirm the house has the licence and planning status it needs before anything else.
We cover LE1, LE2, LE3, LE4 and nearby and the neighbouring postcodes, with the same approach in Leicester as anywhere else in Leicestershire.
HMO rules in Leicester City Council
| Rule | Leicester City Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | None found |
| Selective licensing | In part of the area Parts of Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, Fosse, Westcotes, Stoneygate and Saffron, 10 October 2022 to 9 October 2027 |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In part of the area Several areas of the city, including Westcotes, Clarendon Park and the centre, first in force 20 August 2014 and since extended |
Checked October 2026. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Leicester City Council's Article 4 direction covers several areas of the city, including Westcotes, Clarendon Park and the city centre. Whether a house in Leicester needs planning permission to become a small HMO depends on whether it is inside that boundary, which we check for the exact address. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. We found no additional licensing scheme in force in Leicester City Council, so the mandatory licence for five or more people is the main one to plan for.
How we handle HMO guaranteed rent work in Leicester
We offer guaranteed rent leases on suitable shared houses in Leicester and elsewhere in Leicestershire. Before making an offer we survey the house, measure the rooms and check the local council's licensing and planning position for the address, because those decide how many people can lawfully live there.
Owners in Leicester who lease to any operator should check the licence, certificates and tenancy paperwork, because licensing offences and rent repayment orders can reach superior landlords since 1 May 2026. Have the lease reviewed by your own solicitor before you sign.
- Lease of the whole house for a fixed monthly rent
- Licence and certificate records shared with you
- Inspections with written reports to the owner
- Draft lease supplied for your own solicitor to review
- Room letting and tenant management handled by us
Student and sharer lets in Leicester
Student lets in Leicester often follow the academic year. Since 1 May 2026, Ground 4A can let a landlord of a student HMO seek possession for the summer, but only if every condition is met, including: each tenant is, or is reasonably expected to become, a full-time student; written notice was given before signing; the tenancy was signed no more than six months before move-in; the timing condition is met; and the landlord intends to re-let to students.