Cambs Landlords Face £30k Fines in 2026

Key Points

• Landlords in Peterborough, a city in Cambridgeshire (Cambs), risk civil penalties of up to £30,000 for operating unlicensed private rented properties under the Selective Licensing Scheme, launched on 11 March 2024.
• Unlimited fines are possible through court prosecution for non-compliance, alongside rent repayment orders forcing landlords to reimburse tenants up to 12 months’ rent.
• The scheme covers designated areas in wards including Bretton, Central, East, Fletton and Stanground, Fletton and Woodston, North, Orton Waterville, Park, Paston and Walton, and Stanground South.​
• Properties requiring licences include those rented to one occupant, a family, or two unrelated individuals; exemptions apply to council tenancies, holiday lets, long leases over 21 years, and certain HMOs.
• Licence fees total £908 (£538 Part A + £370 Part B), valid until 10 March 2029; applications processed via partner Home Safe, with processing up to 26 weeks plus 14-day consultation.​
• Over 7,000 licence applications processed in the first year, issuing 6,476 licences after checks; inspections identified over 6,500 hazards in nearly 1,500 properties, including mould and electrical faults.
• A new Additional HMO Licensing Scheme launched 26 January 2026 covers city-wide HMOs with 3-4 unrelated occupants sharing facilities, estimating 2,000 properties affected until 25 January 2031; licences cost £1,100 for five years.
• Peterborough City Council partners with Home Safe for administration, inspections (two per five-year period), and enforcement to raise standards, reduce anti-social behaviour, and improve tenant safety.
• Councillor Christian Hogg, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, stated: “I welcome the launch of Additional Licensing and seeing the positive effects it will have on our communities. The scheme will enhance the work we already do with landlords in the private rented sector. We will now have a more active role in ensuring all private tenants can live in housing that is safe, of high standard, appropriately managed and offers appropriate tenancy protection.”
• Mike Brook, Scheme Manager at Home Safe, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Peterborough City Council to deliver the Additional Licensing Scheme, helping ensure more HMOs meet the standards tenants deserve. Help and guidance is available for landlords and agents on the Home Safe website alongside the online application form, so anyone operating a property that requires a licence should apply now and ensure they are compliant.”
• Licence holders must pass ‘fit and proper’ checks, including no unspent convictions for housing offences, fraud, violence, drugs, or discrimination.​
• Non-compliance can lead to criminal convictions, rogue landlord database listing, licence revocation, council management orders, or property closure.
• Landlords have a grace period after application submission (with fees and documents) before offence occurs; temporary exemptions possible for sales (up to 6 months).​
• Similar penalties noted in Cambridge HMO cases, e.g., £2,597 civil penalty for unlicensed King’s Hedges HMO since 2018, and historical £8,951.60 fine for Garlic Row HMO breaches.
• National context: Fines up to £30,000 per breach for HMO/selective licensing failures, with rent repayment up to 12 months; proposed increases to £40,000 and 24 months RROs.

Cambridgeshire (Cambridge Tribune), 25 February 2026 – Landlords in Peterborough, a key city in Cambridgeshire, face steep fines of up to £30,000 under the ongoing Selective Licensing Scheme if they fail to secure accreditation for private rented properties by deadlines linked to scheme extensions, with a critical new Additional HMO phase active since January 2026.

What is the Selective Licensing Scheme in Peterborough?

The Selective Licensing Scheme, approved by the Secretary of State on 4 December 2023, requires landlords to license most private rented properties in designated areas to tackle poor housing conditions, anti-social behaviour, high deprivation, crime, and migration issues. As detailed on the Peterborough City Council website, it targets areas with over 23.5% private rentals, covering houses, flats, and similar dwellings rented to one person, a family, or two unrelated sharers.

Launched on 11 March 2024 for five years until 10 March 2029, the scheme is administered by partner Home Safe, which handles applications online. In its first year, the council received over 7,000 applications, granting 6,476 after verifying safety certificates and floor plans, as reported by BBC News.

Which Areas Require Landlord Licences?

Designated wards include Bretton, Central, East, Fletton and Stanground, Fletton and Woodston, North, Orton Waterville, Park, Paston and Walton, and Stanground South, encompassing hundreds of streets like Abbeyfields, Bridge Street, Fengate, and Thorpe Road. An interactive map on the council site lists all streets precisely.​

Properties exempt include those under council/housing associations, holiday lets, care homes, student halls by educational bodies, business tenancies, and long leases over 21 years without early termination clauses. Mandatory HMOs (5+ occupants) are exempt from selective but require separate licensing.

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What are the Penalties for Unlicensed Properties?

Landlords risk civil penalties up to £30,000 per unlicensed property or unlimited court fines, plus rent repayment orders up to 12 months’ rent to tenants. As per Peterborough City Council, multiple breaches could lead to rogue landlord database entry nationally.

In serious cases, councils may revoke licences, issue management orders, or close properties. No offence occurs once a full application (form, certificates, fee) is submitted, providing a compliance window.

What is the New Additional HMO Licensing Scheme?

From 26 January 2026, a city-wide Additional HMO Scheme mandates licences for properties with 3-4 unrelated sharers or converted flats failing 1991 Building Regs (Section 257 HMOs), affecting ~2,000 properties until 25 January 2031. Licences, costing £1,100 and valid five years, impose conditions on management, anti-social behaviour reduction (e.g., rubbish dumping), and living standards.

Councillor Christian Hogg emphasised urgency: “I would urge landlords who will be affected by Additional Licensing to apply for licences at the earliest opportunity. Our Housing Standards team and HomeSafe are always happy to answer any questions or provide guidance and support where needed.”

How Do Landlords Apply for Accreditation?

Applications go via Home Safe’s portal for both schemes; selective fees are £908 (£538 upfront Part A for processing, £370 Part B later). Processing takes up to 26 weeks + 14-day consultation; licence holders need ‘fit and proper’ status (no relevant convictions).

Overseas landlords must appoint UK agents with full management powers. Licences are non-transferable on sales or deaths, requiring new applications.

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What Impacts Have Inspections Had?

Home Safe and council inspections (two per licence period) found 6,500+ hazards in 1,500 properties in selective scheme’s first year, fixing mould, electrics, etc., enhancing thousands of tenants’ safety. Unresolved issues trigger enforcement.​

Who is Involved in Enforcement?

Peterborough City Council leads, partnering Home Safe for applications/inspections. Mike Brook noted:

“Help and guidance is available so anyone operating a property that requires a licence should apply now and ensure they are compliant.”

Are Similar Rules in Cambridge?

Cambridge enforces HMO licensing strictly; a landlord received £2,597 penalty for a King’s Hedges HMO unlicensed since 2018, per Cambridge City Council. Earlier, £8,951.60 fine for Garlic Row HMO fire breaches, using Housing Act 2004 powers. General UK fines reach £30,000 per breach.

What Support Exists for Landlords?

Council offers guidance via housing.standards@peterborough.gov.uk or selectivelicensing@peterborough.gov.uk; Home Safe at info@home-safe.org.uk. Draft conditions and FAQs address repairs, emergencies, ASB.​

Why Was April a Deadline for Applications?

While selective scheme grace periods post-application exist, the query’s April reference aligns with national patterns like Coventry’s accreditation changes (May 2025, training April 2026), but Peterborough emphasises early application amid ongoing enforcement. Landlords must act before breaches accrue.

This comprehensive coverage draws from official council pages and media, underscoring Peterborough’s push for rental standards amid rising schemes UK-wide.