Oldham has required licences for some privately rented homes in certain areas for several years.
Following a review and consultation, the Council decided that selective licensing should continue in specific parts of Oldham.
This means that any privately rented homes in these areas must have a licence to operate.
Is my property in a Selective Licensing area?
Check if your rented property is in a Selective Licensing area and therefore requires a licence application:
Fees
Licence Fee - this is a total of £582 for each licence.
The fee is split into two payments:
Fee on the provision of the completed application form: £340.34
Fee to be paid if licence is granted: £241.66
Before you apply
You’ll need the following documents in electronic format so you can upload them with your application:
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – must be dated within the last 5 years and show that the installation is satisfactory, with no Code 1 or Code 2 defects. The electrician’s name and registration details must be clear and verifiable.
- Gas Safety Certificate – must be valid, with the engineer’s name and Gas Safe registration number visible.
- Management Statement – if you use a managing agent, provide a copy of your agreement with them showing who is responsible for letting, repairs, and maintenance. If you manage the property yourself, provide a signed letter stating this.
- Tenancy Agreement – a copy of the current tenancy agreement for the property.
- Proof of Address – must show the licence holder’s current address, be dated within the last 6 months, and be issued by a third party (e.g. bank statement, utility bill, or official letter).
Apply
You can apply and pay online, but will need to create an account:
Selecting your role on the application
- If you own the property, select leaseholder or freeholder.
- If you manage the property on behalf of the owner, select managing agent.
Who you must notify
You must tell anyone with a legal interest in the property (other than the tenant) that you’re applying.
This includes:
- Joint owners
- Mortgage lenders
- Any other charge-holders on the property
Nominating a licence holder
You can nominate someone else to hold the licence (e.g. a joint owner or managing agent), but they must have a connection to the property. They will be legally responsible for following the licence rules and must agree to take on this responsibility before the licence is granted.
Accreditation
You don’t need to be accredited to get a licence. Accreditation means you’re part of an approved landlord scheme run by a local authority or a recognised landlords’ association.
Contact us
For any queries, please contact the Selective Licensing team:
- 0161 770 2244
- landlordlicensing@oldham.gov.uk
Why Selective Licensing is needed
It is recognised that poor management standards in the private rented sector can contribute to low housing demand.
The aim of Selective Licensing is to improve the management of these properties through licence conditions to ensure they have a positive impact on the area.
Advice and Safety Information
Getting a licence doesn’t mean the property is automatically safe or that it meets all the legal standards for rented homes.
The owner, licence holder, or manager is always responsible for checking the property’s condition, fixing problems, and making sure it meets all legal requirements.
They must also keep themselves up to date with the law and understand any changes.
A condition audit is a check to confirm that, at the time of the inspection, the licence holder is following the licence rules. The licence holder or manager must keep checking the property to make sure it remains safe, legal, and compliant with the licence conditions.
If you’re unsure about any part of the Selective Licensing scheme, your licence, or the licence rules, contact us for advice.
Selective Licensing team
- 0161 770 2244
- landlordlicensing@oldham.gov.uk
Gas Safety
- Get in the know - Gas Safe website
Blind Cord Safety
Does the property have blind cords - are they safe?
- Blind cords - GOV.UK website
Water Safety
- Drowning – Child Accident Prevention Trust
Public register of licensed properties
Oldham Council maintains a register of all licensed properties within its jurisdiction.
The register only includes properties that have already been licensed. It does not list properties with applications that are still being processed. The absence of an address from the register does not necessarily mean the property is operating unlawfully, an application may still be underway.
Report an unlicensed property
If you wish to report a property you believe to be unlicensed, please email the Selective Licensing Team: