Selective licensing in Gateshead

What the designation says

Gateshead operates selective licensing in two phases, both made under the same designation. Phase 1 came into force on 1 June 2025 and ceases to have effect on 31 May 2030, covering Bensham North and Windmill Hills, Bensham Central and West, The Avenues, Bensham South and Avenues North, Bensham West and Avenues, Beacon Lough East, Birtley and Birtley Industrial, and Chopwell North. Phase 2 came into force on 1 October 2025 and ceases on 30 September 2030, covering North Felling and Felling Shore Industrial, Derwentwater East, Derwentwater West and Racecourse Estate, Swalwell North and Metro Centre, Kelvin Grove, Felling Falla Park, Sunderland Road and Shipcote. Either phase may end earlier if the council revokes the designation under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004. Within a designated neighbourhood every privately rented home needs a licence regardless of how many people occupy it, so a landlord should check which phase, if any, covers a specific address. Letting without a required licence is a criminal offence carrying a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or prosecution, and exposes the landlord to a rent repayment order.

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.

Gateshead's own licensing page →