Bristol City Council has used selective licensing to target specific wards where private rented housing standards or anti-social behaviour have been concerns. Inside a designation, every private rented dwelling needs a licence. This guide explains where it applies, what it costs, and what happens if you operate without a licence.
Designated wards
Easton, Stapleton Road area
~£800
Typical 5-year licence fee
£30,000
Max civil penalty per offence
12 months
Rent repayment exposure
Selective licensing under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 requires every private rented dwelling in a designated area to hold a licence. Bristol has used the power to target specific concerns rather than apply it citywide.
Designations last up to five years. Larger designations (over 20 percent of the council area or PRS stock) need Secretary of State approval; smaller designations are approved by the council itself.
Bristol's selective licensing has at various times covered:
Schemes expire and are re-declared. Always confirm the current designation on bristol.gov.uk before letting. PropReady flags Bristol selective licensing areas by postcode.
Inside a designated area:
The licence is granted to the legal owner. Letting agents do not hold licences in their own right.
Bristol's typical selective licence fee is around £800 for a five-year licence, with discounts for accredited landlords. Fees split into application and grant charges.
Process:
Standard Bristol selective licence conditions:
Selective licensing continues unchanged after 1 May 2026:
Bristol City Council's Private Housing team handles selective licensing. Search "selective licensing" on bristol.gov.uk for the current boundary map and application portal.
Search "selective licensing" on bristol.gov.uk and use the boundary tool. PropReady flags this automatically when you add the property.
No. The regimes do not overlap. An HMO needs the HMO licence; a non-HMO in a selective area needs the selective licence.
NRLA and West of England Landlord Association accreditation typically deliver a discount on the licence fee.
No. Licences are not transferable. The new owner must apply for a fresh licence.
No. Selective licensing continues unchanged. The Renters' Rights Act adds national obligations that stack on top of the licensing duty.
Bristol's selective licensing schemes are time-limited and reviewed periodically. Confirm current status on bristol.gov.uk before letting.
A free checklist of everything you must do before and after 1 May 2026. Sent instantly to your inbox.
PropReady scans every property you hold, flags the Bristol-specific obligations, and generates the documents you need.
Start free trialNo card required