Charnwood Borough Council has revised its Selective Licensing conditions following a First-tier Tribunal consent order issued in April 2025, resulting in some important changes for landlords across affected areas. For many property owners, the new draft licences are notably less onerous than the original 2024 versions.

Key Changes

1. More Flexible Occupancy
One of the most significant updates is greater flexibility around permitted occupation. In some cases, properties previously restricted to a single household may now also allow two occupiers living as two households, depending on the licence wording.

2. Reduced Fire Safety Licensing Burden
Previous licence conditions requiring explicit compliance with LACORS fire guidance and formal fire risk assessments have been removed from the revised draft licences. While landlords must still comply with wider fire and housing law, these are no longer embedded as direct selective licence conditions.

3. Fewer Licence Conditions Overall
The revised framework reduces the number of conditions and removes some broader catch-all management obligations, potentially creating a more proportionate and practical regulatory structure.

4. Updated Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
CO alarm obligations have been modernised, with requirements now more closely aligned to current national regulations.

Our View

Overall, these changes appear to reflect a move towards a fairer and more balanced licensing framework following legal scrutiny. That said, landlords should still review every draft licence carefully, as conditions can vary and compliance remains essential.

At Huntleys, we closely monitor legislative and licensing changes to help landlords stay compliant while protecting profitability. If you’ve received an updated draft licence or want guidance on Charnwood’s Selective Licensing Scheme, our team is here to help.