Documents Needed for a Selective Licence in Leeds
Why Documents Matter More Than the Form Itself
The application form for a Leeds selective licence is straightforward. The part that catches landlords out is the supporting documents. An application is only classified as "duly made" — and therefore only provides protection from prosecution for unlicensed letting — when the form is complete, every required document is uploaded and the Stage 1 fee has cleared. Miss one document and you are technically still operating unlicensed.
The Required Document Portfolio
1. Gas Safety Record (CP12)
A current annual Gas Safety Record issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer, covering every gas appliance the landlord provides. It must have been issued within the last 12 months at the time of submission. If the property has no gas supply, you still need a declaration confirming that.
2. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
A satisfactory EICR issued by a qualified electrician confirming compliance with BS 7671 wiring standards. The report must show no Code 1 (danger present) or Code 2 (potentially dangerous) conditions. Valid for five years.
3. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
The property must hold an EPC rating of Band E or above. If it falls below Band E, you need either to improve the property's energy performance or to register a valid exemption on the national PRS Exemptions Register before applying.
4. Fire Safety Risk Assessment and Alarm Verification
A written fire risk assessment for common parts and shared spaces, plus confirmation that every storey has a mains-powered or 10-year sealed tamper-proof lithium battery smoke alarm and that every room with a solid fuel or gas appliance has a carbon monoxide alarm.
5. Scaled Floor Plans
Measured layout drawings showing room dimensions in square metres, ceiling heights, window openings, fire escape routes, and the location of kitchens, bathrooms and toilets. These do not need to be architect-grade — a clear hand-drawn plan with accurate measurements is accepted — but they must include floor area figures.
6. Tenancy Agreement
A draft or active tenancy agreement showing tenancy terms and deposit protection details.
Notices You Must Serve Before Applying
Before you submit the application, you are legally required to serve written notice on all "interested parties" — mortgage lenders, freeholders, head-lessors, joint owners, managing agents and anyone with a legal interest exceeding a three-year leasehold. Keep dated copies of every notice sent.
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Identity and Declaration Documents
The applicant and any proposed manager must complete a fit and proper person declaration. The Council checks for unspent convictions involving fraud, dishonesty, violence, drugs or sexual offences, discrimination findings, and any prior housing enforcement action.
Staging Everything Before You Touch the Portal
The Council's online portal expects all of this in one go. Gathering a Gas Safety Record, EICR, EPC, fire risk assessment and floor plans can take weeks if you are commissioning fresh inspections. Start the document assembly process early and keep everything in one folder.
Our Landlord Licensing in Leeds guide includes a document staging tracker and template language for the interested-party notices.
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