For Tenants
Everything you need to know
before you sign.
Understand what we check, what to look out for, and what your rights are as a tenant.
What You'll Discover
Our comprehensive check shows:
One search gives you all the critical information about a property's licensing status — no chasing councils, no guesswork.
Disclaimer: The information shown depends on what each council makes publicy available
Type of Licence
The licence this property requires based on its occupancy and local council designations.
Current Licence Status
Active, expired, or no licence on record — clearly displayed so you know instantly.
Property details
Rooms, facilities, and physical characteristics of the property as recorded on the council register.
Maximum Permitted Occupancy
How many people are legally allowed to live in the property at the same time.
Conditions & Restrictions
Any special conditions attached to the licence that affect how the property must be managed.
Council Contact Details
Direct contact information for the local council so you can follow up or report issues.
Further Reading
Want to understand your rights as a tenant?
- Your rights under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — Shelter England's plain-English guide to what changed on 1 May 2026.
- Official government guidance for private renters — GOV.UK's tenant-facing overview of the new rules.
- Licensing rules for rented properties — GOV.UK guidance on when a licence is required.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if…
These warning signs suggest a property may be operating illegally. Don't ignore them — your safety and legal rights could be at risk.
The landlord claims they don't need a licenceSome landlords try to avoid regulation. Always verify independently — OkToLive lets you check in seconds.
The property address isn't on the council registerIf a property that should be licensed isn't listed, it may be operating without approval.
The licence has expiredAn expired licence means the property hasn't been re-assessed. Standards may have slipped since the last inspection.
More people than permitted are living thereOvercrowding beyond the licence limit is illegal and creates safety risks for everyone in the property.
Rooms are smaller than legal minimums (HMO properties – depends on the council)In licensed HMOs, a single occupancy room must be at least 6.51m². Smaller rooms are a legal violation.
Fire safety equipment is missing or faulty (requirements vary depending on the licence type)Licensed HMOs must have working smoke alarms, fire doors, and extinguishers. Their absence is a serious red flag.
Your Rights as a Tenant
If your property is unlicensed, the law gives you real options.
Here's what you can do — and what your council has the power to do — when a property is found to be operating without a valid licence.
You can:
- Report the property to the local council for investigation.
- Request a formal inspection of the property's conditions.
- Apply for a Rent Repayment Order and reclaim up to 12 months' rent through a First-tier Tribunal.
Your council has the power to:
- Investigate the property and require the landlord to apply for a licence.
- Issue improvement notices requiring repairs or safety upgrades.
- Prosecute the landlord or issue a civil penalty of up to £40,000.
- Prohibit use of the property if it poses a serious risk to occupants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We have answers.
It depends on the property type and location. There are three types of residential licence in the UK:
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties rented by 5 or more people from more than one household.
- Additional HMO licensing covers smaller shared properties where the local council has extended licensing requirements.
- Selective licensing applies to individual self-contained properties in designated areas — including single-tenancy flats and houses.
Use OkToLive to check your property's status, or contact your local council directly.
OkToLive covers all three types of residential property licence in the UK: mandatory HMO licensing, additional HMO licensing, and selective licensing. Together these cover shared houses, smaller HMOs, and individual self-contained rental properties in designated areas — meaning most private tenants can check their property, not just those in large shared houses.
Yes. Our basic check is completely free. We aggregate publicly available council licensing registers so you don't have to search across multiple websites.
It may not require a licence — or it may be operating without one. Either way, we'll guide you on next steps, including how to contact your local council.
No. Your search is anonymous. Landlords have no way of knowing you've checked their property.
| Step | Action | Who to contact |
|---|---|---|
| Report unlicensed HMO | Contact council housing team | Your local council |
| Report poor conditions | Request HHSRS/Environmental Health inspection | Council Environmental Health |
| Claim rent back | Apply for Rent Repayment Order | First-tier Tribunal (housing.judiciary.gov.uk) |
| Get advice | Free housing advice | Shelter: 0808 800 4444 Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk |
| Check your council's HMO register | Verify licence status | oktolive.com 😉 |
You have real legal options. You can report the property to your local council and request an inspection. You may also be entitled to reclaim up to 12 months' rent through a Rent Repayment Order, applied for at a First-tier Tribunal.
We update our records as frequently as council registers allow — but publication schedules vary between local authorities, and some councils update their registers more frequently than others. If you need to verify a property's current status with absolute certainty, we recommend confirming directly with your local council.
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