North East · Council licensing
Middlesbrough 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: 755
Middlesbrough Council operates THREE concurrent selective licensing schemes across the Newport and North Ormesby wards. All confirmed via Middlesbrough Council's selective landlord licensing page and Kamma's Middlesbrough guide: (1) NEWPORT WARD - SCHEME 1: Operative 3 July 2023 to 2 July 2028. Designation made 2023, replacing earlier Newport scheme. Fee £861. (2) NEWPORT WARD - SCHEME 2 (Newport extension): Launched 23 July 2024 to 22 July 2029. This new scheme replaces another scheme that was terminated in June 2024 and covers Newport streets not previously covered by the Newport 1 designation. Fee £998. (3) NORTH ORMESBY WARD: Operative 14 June 2021 to 13 June 2026 (5-year scheme). Fee £845. North Ormesby was Middlesbrough's original selective licensing area; the council ran an earlier scheme in North Ormesby with documented benefits (2020 evaluation). All private landlords renting properties in the designated areas need a licence, regardless of HMO status. Small HMOs (3-4 occupants from more than one household) within the selective area are also licensed under selective licensing rather than a separate additional scheme. Apply via Middlesbrough Council website. The North Ormesby scheme expires 13 June 2026 and should be monitored for renewal/redesignation.
Areas: {"Newport ward (Scheme 1)","Newport ward (Scheme 2/extension)","North Ormesby ward"}
Fee: 998
Scheme runs until: 22 July 2029
No additional licensing scheme is currently in force.
Source: Middlesbrough 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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