Yorkshire and the Humber · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Doncaster
✓ Hand-verified 24 Aug 2026Doncaster operates discretionary property licensing. Letting an unlicensed property where a scheme applies risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 and a rent repayment order — check whether your property is covered below.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
One payment.
| Each bedroom | £65 |
Doncaster, read 24 August 2026
Areas: Defined area of Hexthorpe, within the Hexthorpe and Balby North ward (a defined street-level area, not the whole ward)
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part 1 | £200 |
| Part 2 | £600 |
| Total | £600 |
- Discount off Part 2
Doncaster, read 24 August 2026
Scheme runs until: 28 February 2027
Doncaster Council does NOT currently operate any Additional HMO Licensing scheme. Confirmed directly on City of Doncaster Council's Landlord Licensing page: "Additional licensing ran from 1st October 2018 to 30th September 2023 so there is no longer a requirement to apply for a licence for these smaller HMOs. However, if you have a valid licence already, it will remain operative until the expiry date." The previous additional scheme covered defined areas (Hexthorpe and others) and required smaller HMOs (3-4 occupiers) to be licensed, but it was NOT renewed when it expired on 30 September 2023. Cross-confirmed by HMO Architects (Dec 2025): "From 1st October 2018 until 30th September 2023, Doncaster ran an additional licence scheme... Although the scheme has ended, landlords with an additional licence must comply with all the conditions of that licence until it expires." Kamma also confirms: "Doncaster Council are not currently operating any additional licensing schemes." Mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupiers from 2+ households) applies borough-wide. Mandatory fee: £890 plus £65 per additional bedroom over five. Doncaster has an Article 4 Direction (planning control) for HMO conversions in defined areas - this is separate from licensing.
Common questions
Does Doncaster have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. Doncaster operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it 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.
Does Doncaster have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Doncaster does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in Doncaster?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Doncaster, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
Selective licensing in Doncaster: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in Yorkshire and the Humber →
Source: Doncaster licensing page →
Every landlord in Doncaster also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
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