HMO licensing in Rochdale

Which licences a rented house needs in Rochdale, and where. England. Checked 7 September 2026.

Rochdale runs additional licensing on top of mandatory licensing.

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing

Extends HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) in a designated area.

StatusIn forceWherewhole districtDesignated29 October 2024

Decision to designate a borough wide additional licensing scheme for 3 and 4 person HMOs dated 29 October 2024 (effective 14 November 2024): https://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2587 . Council landlord licensing page confirms licences are required for HMOs with 3 or more unrelated occupants and section 257 buildings. Council search snippet: licences required from 29 April 2025, not verified by fetch; end date not stated.

Selective licensing

Every privately rented home in a designated area needs a licence, HMO or not.

None found

Council page states selective licensing has not yet been introduced across the borough of Rochdale.

Council HMO page · HMO Article 4 in Rochdale

Check an exact postcode for Article 4

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.

Add to Chrome

Sources: Rochdale council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.