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Licensing in Warrington

Warrington has no selective or additional licensing scheme in force.

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Check an address in Warrington

We'll match the postcode to its ward and the schemes below.

Licensing, ward by ward

Select a ward to see its name and licensing.

  • National rules only22

Current ward boundaries from ONS. Some homes are exempt, so check your postcode and the scheme details below.

Selective licensing
None
Additional HMO licensing
No
Article 4 on house shares
Yes
Consultation
Awaiting decision

Licensing schemes

  • Mandatory HMO licence

    In force

    Mandatory HMO licensing (Warrington fees)

    Area

    Whole borough of Warrington (national scheme).

    Fee

    Published standard fee: £492.09

    Fees (exc VAT): new licence £492.09; with Cheshire Landlord Accreditation Scheme membership (10% reduction) £442.87; charitable organisation (50% reduction) £246.04; licence variation £47.44. An application is not made until the fee is paid.

    Who needs one
    HMOs falling within the national mandatory licensing description (five or more occupiers forming two or more households sharing amenities).
    Exemptions
    Temporary Exemption Notices of up to three months, renewable once.
    Apply on the council’s website
    How we checked this

    'A licence will normally last for a maximum of five years.' Licences are not transferable on sale. The page still cites a civil penalty 'of up to £30,000' for not having a licence, although the council's May 2026 civil penalty policy uses the £40,000 maximum.

    Sources

Article 4 for house shares

Warrington has an Article 4 direction on HMOs (houses in multiple occupation, or shared houses). Turning a family home into a shared house may need planning permission.

Area
Whole borough from 25 September 2026, through two C3 to C4 directions: (1) a non-immediate direction for the Central Six Wards (Orford, Poplars and Hulme, Fairfield and Howley, Latchford East, Latchford West, and Bewsey and Whitecross), confirmed on 13 May 2026 and in force from 25 September 2026; (2) an immediate direction for the rest of the borough ('land outside of the Central Six Wards'), in force 'immediately on the 25 September 2026', which 'shall remain in force until 25 March 2027 and shall then expire unless it has been confirmed'; representations were invited until 19 October 2026.
Takes effect
25 Sept 2026

Council source

Civil penalty policy

The council's policy sets how it decides the size of a fine. The version we found has been updated for the Renters' Rights Act.

'Housing Standards & Assistance Civil Penalty Policy under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and other housing legislation' (May 2026), applying to proceedings commenced on or after 1 May 2026, with £7,000 and £40,000 statutory maxima. Failure to obtain an HMO licence: £17,000 starting point (£13,600 to £20,400 with landlord-type adjustment). Linked from the council's information for landlords page alongside a 2026 Housing Standards Assistance Enforcement Policy.

Warrington's civil penalty policy

Consultations

Not yet confirmed

We could not settle these points when we researched Warrington. Check them with the council before you rely on them.

  • Not yet confirmed

    No selective or additional licensing scheme was found. Checked: the private sector housing page (which describes 'limited licensing (HMOs)'), the information for landlords page, the HMO licensing page and the A-Z index (only HMO licensing listed). The council does not state the absence; committee papers were not searched.

  • Not yet confirmed

    The immediate Article 4 direction covering the borough outside the Central Six Wards (in force 25 September 2026) expires on 25 March 2027 unless confirmed; its confirmation is pending.

Landlord register

The national landlord register is separate from licensing. Warrington is in North West, where registration is planned from 15 May 2027 to 14 August 2027. The regulations are still in draft. Read about the register