Landlord licensing in Newcastle upon Tyne

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.

Fee: £1,100

SCHEME OVERVIEW: Newcastle City Council operates MULTIPLE area-specific Selective Licensing schemes — Newcastle has SEVEN selective licensing designations across the city. The schemes are renewed and amended on rolling 5-year cycles. CURRENT DESIGNATIONS: (A) The 2021-2026 SCHEME: Came into force on 1 October 2021 and runs until 30 September 2026. Covers parts of various wards across Newcastle. (B) The 2025-2030 SCHEME: Came into force on 5 April 2025 and runs until 5 April 2030. Partially covers the wards of Arthur's Hill, Benwell & Scotswood, Blakelaw, Elswick, Kenton, Lemington, West Fenham, and Wingrove — plus the HHRS area (Howdene Road, part of Howlett Hall Road, Ravenburn Gardens and part of Swinley Gardens) in Benwell. Also includes new areas in Lemington, Denton Court and Columbia Grange, plus amended schemes in Cowgate and the West End (source: new.newcastle.gov.uk/property-licensing-schemes-newcastle/selective-licensing and kammadata.com/uk-property-guide/property-licensing-guide-for-newcastle-upon-tyne). COVERAGE: The selective licensing scheme covers approximately 10% of private rented homes in Newcastle — around 2,827 properties across the seven designation areas. Newcastle introduced selective licensing to address significant issues in areas where over 20% of housing is privately rented and where there are high levels of anti-social behaviour, crime, and poor housing conditions. WHO NEEDS A LICENCE: All privately rented properties within the designated areas must be licensed unless exempt — including single-family lets, single-occupant lets, couples and families. Use the Newcastle City Council interactive map at new.newcastle.gov.uk to check whether a specific property is in a designated area. EXEMPTIONS: Properties holding Mandatory or Additional HMO licences are exempt from selective licensing. Statutory exemptions under the Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 also apply. FEES: Two-part structure (Part 1 application + Part 2 issuance). Updated fees apply from June 2025. Property Accreditation scheme members may receive discounts. Verify current fees at new.newcastle.gov.uk/property-licensing-schemes-newcastle/fees-and-discounts before applying. LICENCE CONDITIONS: Health and safety, fire precautions, gas safety, electrical safety, structural condition, anti-social behaviour management, written tenancy agreements, prompt response to disrepair. The licence holder must be a fit and proper person. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES: Operating an unlicensed property in a designated area is a criminal offence. Civil financial penalty up to £30,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. Rent Repayment Orders for up to 12 months' rent (24 months under Renters' Rights Act 2025). Section 21 invalid. CONTACT: Public Protection and Neighbourhoods, 7th Floor, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH. Telephone 0191 211 5595. Email propertylicensing@newcastle.gov.uk.

Areas: Specific wards including parts of Byker, Walker, Walkergate, and other designated areas

Fee: £650

Scheme runs until: 30 June 2028

SCHEME OVERVIEW: Newcastle City Council operates a CITYWIDE Additional HMO Licensing Scheme. The current scheme is the SECOND designation — the first scheme came into force on 6 April 2020, ran for 5 years until 5 April 2025. The renewed scheme is The Newcastle City Council Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing 2025, made on 22 October 2024, which came into force on 5 April 2025 and runs until 5 April 2030, or earlier if the council revokes it under section 60 of the Housing Act 2004 (source: new.newcastle.gov.uk/property-licensing-schemes-newcastle/additional-licensing and the official Designation Notice published October 2024). LEGAL BASIS: Designation made under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004. Falls under the Housing Act 2004: Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing of Other Residential Accommodation (England) General Approval 2015. COVERAGE: The administrative area of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne — borough wide. From 5 April 2025 all private landlords who own property in the area or any person who controls or manages property in the area are required to apply for a licence for any HMO. WHO NEEDS A LICENCE: Any privately-rented property occupied by 3 or more people in 2 or more households with shared basic amenities (such as kitchens and bathrooms). All HMOs in Newcastle must have an appropriate licence — the citywide additional scheme captures small HMOs (3-4 persons) that fall outside Mandatory HMO Licensing. Mandatory HMO licensing (5+ persons) continues to apply separately. EVIDENCE BASE: Newcastle introduced additional licensing to address the poor management and conditions of smaller HMOs (particularly two-, three- and four-bedroom properties) where evidence showed persistent issues with anti-social behaviour and substandard living conditions (source: kammadata.com/uk-property-guide/property-licensing-guide-for-newcastle-upon-tyne). FEES: Updated fees and charges apply from June 2025. Discount of £100 on new licence application for landlords whose mandatory HMO property is already accredited through the Property Accreditation scheme. Two-part fee structure (Part 1 processing/administration + Part 2 issuance). The Part 1 fee is NOT REFUNDABLE if the application is withdrawn or refused after submission. Verify current fees on the Newcastle City Council Fees and Discounts page at new.newcastle.gov.uk/property-licensing-schemes-newcastle/fees-and-discounts before applying. LICENCE CONDITIONS: Comprehensive — including fire safety, gas safety (annual certificate), electrical safety (5-year EICR), structural condition, freedom from Category 1 hazards, management arrangements, anti-social behaviour management, fit and proper person test for the licence holder, written tenancy agreements. INSPECTION: Newcastle inspects licensed properties to verify compliance with conditions. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES: Failure to licence a property is a criminal offence and may lead to prosecution and an unlimited fine OR the imposition of a civil financial penalty up to £30,000 per offence. Rent Repayment Orders for up to 12 months' rent (24 months under the Renters' Rights Act 2025). Section 21 invalid where unlicensed; from 1 May 2026 the no-fault possession grounds under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 are similarly unavailable. Banning Orders for repeat offenders. CONTACT: Public Protection and Neighbourhoods, 7th Floor, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH. Telephone 0191 211 5595. Email propertylicensing@newcastle.gov.uk.

Areas: City-wide additional licensing for HMOs with 3-4 occupants in specific property types

Fee: £650