Selective licensing in Middlesbrough

What the designation says

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) 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) 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.

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.

Middlesbrough's own licensing page →