Tyne and Wear · Council licensing
Gateshead 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.
Fee: £1,100
Gateshead Council operates a selective licensing scheme covering 16 Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs/neighbourhoods), implemented in two phases. Designation made 18 February 2025. Phase 1 came into force 1 June 2025 (8 neighbourhoods, expires 31 May 2030); Phase 2 came into force 1 October 2025 (8 neighbourhoods, expires 30 September 2030). The scheme applies to private rented property let to a single person, two people sharing, or a single household within the designated areas. Licence fee £850 per property with discounts for accreditation and early bird applications. Application via Gateshead Council postcode checker. Expansion took licensed homes from approximately 950 to 5,400.
Areas: Phase 1 (1 Jun 2025 to 31 May 2030): Bensham North/Windmill Hills, Bensham Central and West, The Avenues, Bensham South/Avenues North, Bensham West/Avenues, Beacon Lough East, Birtley/Birtley Industrial, Chopwell. Phase 2 (1 Oct 2025 to 30 Sep 2030): North Felling/Felling Shore Industrial, Derwentwater East, Derwentwater West/Racecourse Estate, Swalwell North/Metro Centre, Kelvin Grove, Felling Falla Park, Sunderland Road, Shipcote.
Scheme runs until: 30 September 2030
Gateshead Council operates a borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme. Designation made 18 February 2025, in force 1 June 2025, expires 31 May 2030. Applies to properties occupied by 3 or 4 people who are not related but share facilities. Licence fee £976.30 per property with discounts available for accreditation and early bird applications. Mandatory HMO licensing also applies separately for HMOs with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households. Both schemes given general approval under Sections 58/82 of the Housing Act 2004 - no Secretary of State confirmation required.
Areas: Borough-wide (whole Gateshead Council area)
Scheme runs until: 31 May 2030
Source: Gateshead licensing page →
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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