Selective Licence Floor Plan: What Landlords Need to Show
If you are renting out a property in an area covered by a selective licensing scheme, your local council may ask you to provide information about the property as part of the licensing application.
One useful document is a selective licence floor plan.
A clear floor plan gives the council a visual representation of the property, showing its rooms, layout, access points and facilities.
However, selective licensing requirements can vary between councils. Before submitting an application, landlords should always check the current requirements of the local authority responsible for the property.
What Is a Selective Licence Floor Plan?
A selective licence floor plan is a drawing showing the layout of a rented residential property.
Unlike a floor plan created purely for property marketing, a licensing floor plan may need to contain additional information requested by the council.
Depending on the local authority, this can include:
Room names
Room dimensions
Bedrooms
Living rooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Toilets
Doors
Windows
Entrances
Exits
Staircases
Internal walls
External walls
Number of floors
Other relevant facilities
The exact requirements depend on the selective licensing scheme and the council.
For a broader guide, see our Floor Plan for Property Licensing article.
What Is Selective Licensing?
Selective licensing is a property licensing system that allows a local authority to require certain privately rented properties in a designated area to obtain a licence.
The Housing Act 2004 provides the legal framework for selective licensing in England. Local authorities can designate areas for selective licensing where the relevant statutory requirements are met.
The rules are not identical across every area.
A property may therefore need a selective licence in one location while a different licensing arrangement may apply elsewhere.
Landlords should check the current licensing scheme for the area where their property is located.
You can also check the official GOV.UK guidance on selective licensing.
Why Might a Council Need a Floor Plan?
A floor plan gives the licensing authority a visual overview of the property.
Instead of relying only on written information, the council can see how the accommodation is arranged.
A floor plan can help show:
How many rooms the property contains
Where bedrooms are located
Where the kitchen is located
Where bathrooms and toilets are located
How occupants access different rooms
Where entrances and exits are located
How different floors are connected
The approximate or measured size of rooms
This can make the property’s layout easier to understand during the licensing process.
However, landlords should check the application requirements for their specific council before preparing the plan.
What Should a Selective Licence Floor Plan Include?
The exact requirements vary, but there are several important details landlords should consider.
1. The Complete Property Layout
The floor plan should represent the property accurately.
If the property has:
Ground floor
First floor
Second floor
Basement
Loft or converted areas
the relevant areas should be represented where they form part of the premises being licensed.
Avoid submitting a plan that only shows one level when the licensing application concerns the complete property.
2. Room Names
Rooms should be clearly identified.
For example:
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
Living room
Kitchen
Bathroom
WC
Utility room
Hallway
Landing
Storage room
Clear room labels make the floor plan easier to understand.
3. Room Dimensions
Room dimensions can be useful when a council needs to understand the size of accommodation.
A plan may show measurements such as:
Bedroom 1 – 3.2m × 3.0m
Bedroom 2 – 3.5m × 2.8m
Living Room – 4.5m × 3.6m
Do not guess measurements.
If accurate measurements are required for your application, make sure the property is measured correctly.
4. Kitchens and Cooking Facilities
The kitchen should be clearly identified.
Depending on the council’s requirements, the floor plan may also need to identify relevant fixtures and facilities.
For example:
Kitchen
Sink
Cooker
Worktop
Storage
Other relevant facilities
The level of detail required depends on the application.
5. Bathrooms and Toilets
Bathrooms, WCs and other sanitary facilities should be clearly labelled.
For example:
Bathroom
Bath
Shower
WC
Wash basin
If the property has multiple bathrooms or toilets, make sure they can be distinguished on the plan.
6. Doors and Access
Doors should be shown clearly.
This helps demonstrate how the rooms connect to each other and how occupants move around the property.
Where relevant, show:
Internal doors
External doors
Entrance doors
Access points
Openings
7. Stairs and Landings
If the property has multiple floors, the floor plan should make the relationship between the levels clear.
Show:
Staircases
Landings
Access between floors
Relevant entrances and exits
This gives the council a better understanding of the property’s layout.
8. Windows and External Features
Some councils may request windows or other relevant external features to be shown.
Where these details are required, they should be represented accurately.
The important point is to follow the application guidance for the particular licensing scheme.
Selective Licensing Floor Plan vs HMO Floor Plan
Selective licensing and HMO licensing are not the same thing.
A selective licence can apply to certain privately rented properties within a designated area, while HMO licensing relates specifically to houses in multiple occupation.
The information required for a floor plan can therefore be different.
If you are dealing with an HMO, you may also want to read our guide to an HMO Licence Floor Plan.
For landlords dealing with HMO properties, our guide to EPC for HMO Properties in London may also be useful.
Do All Councils Have the Same Selective Licensing Requirements?
No.
This is one of the most important things landlords should remember.
Selective licensing schemes are operated by local authorities, and the application requirements can differ between areas.
One council may request a particular type of floor plan or specific information, while another council may have different requirements.
Before arranging your floor plan, check the current application guidance for your property.
Look for information about:
Required documents
Floor-plan format
Measurements
Room information
Scale
Number of floors
Property boundaries
Facilities
Additional supporting information
This can help you avoid preparing a plan that does not contain information requested by your council.
Can I Use an Estate Agent’s Floor Plan?
You might be able to use an existing plan if it contains all the information required by your council.
However, you should not automatically assume that a marketing floor plan is suitable for licensing.
Estate-agent floor plans are generally designed to help buyers or tenants understand a property’s layout.
A licensing floor plan may require additional information.
For example, an older marketing plan may not contain:
Accurate current measurements
Updated room names
Recent internal alterations
Additional bathrooms
New partitions
Converted rooms
Updated entrances
Current floor layouts
If the property has changed, an updated plan may be necessary.
Our guide to Rental Property Floor Plans explains why an accurate and current floor plan is useful for rental properties.
What If the Property Layout Has Changed?
Landlords should check the floor plan against the actual property before submitting it.
For example, imagine a property originally had:
2 bedrooms + 1 living room
The landlord later converts the living room into another bedroom.
The old floor plan would no longer represent the property accurately.
Similar changes can include:
Adding a bedroom
Removing a bedroom
Creating an internal partition
Removing an internal wall
Adding an en-suite
Moving the kitchen
Adding a bathroom
Converting a loft
Extending the property
Changing an entrance
If the layout has changed, make sure the floor plan reflects the current arrangement.
Selective Licence Floor Plan Checklist
Before submitting your licensing application, check the following:
The floor plan represents the current property
All relevant floors are included
Rooms are clearly labelled
Bedrooms are identified
Room dimensions are accurate where required
Kitchen is identified
Bathrooms and toilets are identified
Doors are shown
Entrances and exits are shown
Stairs and landings are shown
Relevant windows are shown if required
Internal walls are represented accurately
The plan matches the actual property
The plan follows the relevant council’s requirements
Common Selective Licensing Floor Plan Mistakes
Using an Outdated Plan
One of the simplest mistakes is submitting a plan that no longer represents the property.
Always compare the plan with the current layout.
Missing a Floor
If the property has several floors, make sure all relevant levels are represented.
Incorrect Measurements
Avoid estimated room sizes when accurate measurements are required.
Missing Rooms
Every relevant room should be represented and clearly labelled.
Unclear Access
Entrances, exits, doors and stairs should be clear where the council requires them.
Assuming Every Council Uses the Same Requirements
Selective licensing schemes can differ between local authorities.
Always check the current application guidance.
Do You Need a Professional Selective Licensing Floor Plan?
Preparing a floor plan yourself can be difficult if the property has several rooms, multiple floors or an unusual layout.
A professional measured floor plan can provide a clearer representation of the property and its dimensions.
Urgent EPC provides professional floor plan services across London for landlords, property managers, estate agents and property owners.
The service can be used for:
Rental properties
HMO properties
Property marketing
Council licensing applications
Selective licensing
Additional licensing
Property records
Where a floor plan is required for a licensing application, tell the provider which council and licence type you are dealing with so the plan can be prepared with the application requirements in mind.
Floor Plans for Selective Licensing and EPCs
A floor plan and an Energy Performance Certificate serve different purposes.
An EPC provides information about a property’s energy performance.
A floor plan shows the physical layout of the property.
If you are preparing a rental property, you may need to organise both documents depending on your circumstances.
Urgent EPC provides EPC services and professional floor plans for landlords across London.
You can also view the available Urgent EPC pricing plans if you need an EPC and floor plan.
How to Prepare for a Selective Licensing Application
A simple preparation process can help landlords organise their documents.
Step 1: Check the Property’s Licensing Status
Find out whether the property is located within a selective licensing designation.
Step 2: Check the Local Council
Identify the council responsible for the property.
Step 3: Read the Current Application Guidance
Check exactly what documents and information the council requests.
Step 4: Check the Existing Floor Plan
If you already have a floor plan, compare it with the current property.
Step 5: Measure the Property
If accurate dimensions are required, arrange suitable measurements.
Step 6: Update the Plan
Make sure the plan reflects any alterations to the property.
Step 7: Submit the Required Documents
Follow the council’s instructions for uploading or submitting the floor plan.
Keep a copy of the documents for your property records.
Why Accurate Floor Plans Matter
A floor plan is more than a drawing of the property.
For a licensing application, it can help communicate:
The property’s layout
Room locations
Room sizes
Access arrangements
Facilities
Number of floors
General accommodation arrangement
An inaccurate plan can create confusion, particularly when the council is comparing the submitted information with the actual property.
Accuracy should therefore be a priority.
Final Thoughts
A selective licence floor plan can be an important document when preparing a privately rented property for a council licensing application.
The plan should accurately represent the current property and include the information requested by the relevant local authority.
Because selective licensing schemes and application requirements can differ between councils, landlords should always check the latest guidance for their specific property.
If you need a professional floor plan for a selective licensing application, rental property or other council licensing requirement, Urgent EPC can arrange professional floor plan services across London.
Official Guidance
For information about selective licensing in England, see the official GOV.UK selective licensing guidance.
Always check the current requirements published by the local council responsible for the property before submitting a licensing application.
