HMO licensing in Salford: fees, schemes and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Salford City Council's own published pages on the date above
A mandatory HMO licence in Salford costs £970 total for a first application on a property with up to 12 bedrooms, paid as £679 on application and £291 on issue (Salford City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Salford also runs selective licensing in two areas: Eccles, Barton & Winton since September 2022, and a new designation covering Broughton, Kersal & Broughton Park that started 21 January 2026.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Salford HMO or selective licence application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Salford's own published fees and schemes - for the wider system, see our HMO & landlord licensing hub, and for the national rules on who needs a licence, see do I need an HMO licence?
This is general information sourced from Salford City Council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees and scheme dates with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Salford?
Salford licenses every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) city-wide under mandatory licensing, and has separately run additional licensing for smaller HMOs (a scheme that started 19 July 2021) - though the pages we reviewed gave a 5-year end date of 19 July 2026, which has now passed relative to our check date, so confirm with the council whether this has been renewed before assuming it's still live (Salford City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Salford's selective licensing is genuinely two schemes running on different clocks: Eccles, Barton & Winton has been live since 2022, while Broughton, Kersal & Broughton Park only started in January 2026 and runs to 20 January 2031.
What does an HMO or selective licence cost in Salford?
Mandatory HMO fees are set by application type, for properties up to 12 bedrooms (Salford City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
GBP 40 per extra bedroom above 12 on mandatory HMOs - see Salford City Council's full fee tables →
✓ Checked against Salford City Council, 23 August 2026
Does Salford run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Salford |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | City-wide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Started 19 July 2021 for 5 years; that term appears to have ended 19 July 2026 - confirm current status with the council |
| Selective licensing - Eccles, Barton & Winton | From 1 September 2022 for 5 years |
| Selective licensing - Broughton, Kersal & Broughton Park | From 21 January 2026 to 20 January 2031 |
The additional licensing scheme's stated 5-year term is close to our check date - always confirm the current live schemes on the council's own page before assuming coverage.
How do you apply for an HMO or selective licence in Salford?
You apply directly through Salford City Council's own website (Salford City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check which scheme applies to your property - mandatory, additional or selective - using the council's area pages.
- Gather your documents - property details, occupant numbers, gas and electrical safety certificates.
- Apply online and pay the first-stage fee.
- Complete the council's inspection where required.
- Pay the second-stage fee and receive your licence.
How long does a Salford HMO licence take?
Salford City Council's pages reviewed for this guide didn't set out a fixed processing timescale (checked 23 August 2026) - confirm current turnaround with the council's landlord licensing team on 0161 793 3344 or teamhmo@salford.gov.uk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an HMO licence cost in Salford?
£970 total for a first application on a property up to 12 bedrooms (£679 + £291), or £895 for a renewal - plus £40 per extra bedroom above 12.
Is Salford's additional licensing scheme still running?
The scheme started 19 July 2021 for a 5-year term, which appears to end 19 July 2026 - confirm with the council whether it has been renewed or replaced before assuming your property still needs an additional licence.
Which areas of Salford need a selective licence?
Eccles, Barton & Winton (since September 2022) and, from 21 January 2026, Broughton, Kersal & Broughton Park - check your exact street on the council's area map.
Where do I apply for a Salford HMO licence?
Directly through Salford City Council's own website - check which scheme applies to your property, then apply and pay online.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Salford City Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Salford City Council's landlord licensing team directly.