Selective licensing in Ashfield

Yes. Ashfield operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.

Legal basis
Housing Act 2004, section 80
Areas covered
Stanton Hill (Brand Lane, Institute Street, Cooperative Street, Victoria Street, Albert Street, New Lane, High Street, Cross Row, Stoneyford Road 317-335) and Sutton Central/New Cross (Chatsworth Street, St Michaels Street, Outram Street, North Street, Downing Street, Beighton Street, Morley Street, Lime Street, East Street, Stoney Street, Walton Street, Preistsic Road 16-80 evens, Bentinck Street, Park Street, Portland Street)
In force from
25 July 2022
Runs until
24 July 2027
Licence fee
£350 (£250 for accredited landlords)
Last verified
4 Aug 2026

What the designation says

Ashfield District Council operates an active selective licensing scheme that came into force on 25 July 2022 and runs for five years until 24 July 2027 unless revoked earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004. The designation covers parts of two wards: Stanton Hill & Teversal, and Sutton Central & New Cross. All privately rented residential accommodation within the designated streets must be licensed unless subject to statutory exemption. The scheme was introduced after a 10-week consultation (December 2021 to February 2022) following evidence of poor property conditions and management standards in these areas. Properties already licensed as mandatory HMOs are exempt from selective licensing (each property is only subject to one type of residential licensing scheme). Properties managed by Registered Social Landlords or local housing authorities are also exempt. The licence fee is £350 for the duration of the scheme (five years), with a £100 discount available for landlords accredited through schemes such as DASH. There is no option to pay by instalments. The current scheme replaces an earlier selective licensing designation in similar areas. Failing to license a property within the designated area is a criminal offence carrying an unlimited fine or a civil penalty of up to £30,000. [RE-VERIFIED 4 Aug 2026: designation confirmed in force 25 July 2022, ceasing 24 July 2027, covering designated streets in parts of the Stanton Hill and Teversal ward and the Sutton Central and New Cross ward. As at this date the scheme has NOT been renewed: the council published an Evaluation Report for the two areas on 5 September 2025 and has consulted on a proposal to renew, but no Cabinet decision and no successor designation has been published. Expiry deliberately not rolled forward. One secondary source quotes the end date as 25 July 2027; the council scheme guide states 24 July 2027 verbatim and that is the value held. RE-CHECK BEFORE 24 JULY 2027.]

What this means for a landlord

A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Ashfield's own licensing page →

Free compliance audit →Five questions, no sign-up. Every duty that applies to your property, licensing included.Check your tenancy agreement →Unlicensed letting invalidates a section 21 notice. We check the agreement against current law.

Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Ashfield before letting.