Selective Licence Conditions Leeds: What the Council Expects

Standard Licence Conditions

Every selective licence issued by Leeds City Council comes with conditions that the licence holder must comply with throughout the licence term. Breaching a condition is a separate offence under Section 95(3) of the Housing Act 2004 — punishable by a civil penalty of up to £40,000 or prosecution.

The standard conditions typically require the licence holder to:

• Maintain valid safety certificates (Gas Safety Record renewed annually, EICR satisfactory with no C1/C2 faults)
• Provide working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms where required
• Keep the property in reasonable repair and address hazards identified under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• Provide occupiers with a written statement of tenancy terms within 7 days of a new tenancy or licence grant
• Obtain references for prospective tenants
• Deal with anti-social behaviour affecting the property or its surroundings
• Notify the Council of any changes to the licence holder's circumstances, managing agent or property layout

Separately, landlords must protect deposits in a government-approved scheme and serve the prescribed information within 30 days.

The Council can also attach additional conditions specific to a property based on its condition or location.

The Fit and Proper Person Test

Before granting a licence, the Council assesses whether the proposed licence holder and any named property manager are "fit and proper" under Section 89 of the Housing Act 2004. The test looks at:

• Unspent criminal convictions — particularly fraud, dishonesty, violence, drugs or sexual offences
• Discrimination findings — any unlawful discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic origin, nationality or disability
• Prior housing enforcement — civil penalties, enforcement notices, revoked licences or prosecutions under housing or landlord legislation

If the Council is not satisfied that the proposed licence holder or manager is fit and proper, it can refuse the application unless satisfactory alternative management arrangements can be made.

What Happens If the Licence Is Refused

If the Council decides to refuse a licence, it issues a formal refusal notice. The Stage 1 fee is not refunded — it covers processing costs regardless of outcome. Stage 2 is not collected if the licence is never granted.

The Council gives its reasons for refusal, advises on any action to take, and tells the applicant how to appeal.

How to Appeal

The licence holder (or proposed licence holder, in a refusal) can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Appeals cover refusals, revocations and specific licence conditions. The Tribunal conducts a fresh hearing — it reviews all the evidence independently and can confirm, vary or overturn the Council's decision.

Appeals must be lodged within 28 days of the date specified in the refusal notice. The Tribunal is independent of the Council and charges a fee for the application.

Council Inspections

Granting a licence does not mean the Council has inspected the property. Inspections can happen at any point during the licence term, often triggered by tenant complaints or neighbourhood enforcement campaigns. Inspectors assess the property under the HHSRS framework and can issue Improvement Notices or Prohibition Orders for hazards, even on a licensed property.

Our Landlord Licensing in Leeds guide covers the full set of licence conditions, the fit and proper test and what to expect from a Council inspection.

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