Yorkshire and the Humber · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in North Yorkshire
✓ Hand-verified 21 Aug 2026North Yorkshire 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.
North Yorkshire sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.
The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.
Not established is not the same as free.
North Yorkshire operates a selective licensing scheme in parts of Scarborough. The council's own page states: "Scarborough South: This designation covers parts of the Weaponness and Ramshill division in Scarborough. The designation commenced on May 1 st 2022 and runs for 5 years until 30 th April 2027." The council's own page states: "Scarborough Town: This designation covers parts of the Castle, Falsgrave and Stepney and Northstead divisions in Scarborough. The designation of this scheme will take effect from June 1 st 2024 and will run for 5 years until 31 st May 2029." The council's own page states: "Selective Licensing was introduced within the Housing Act 2004 under Part 3, Section 80 and allows local housing authorities to designate areas suffering from either significant and persistent anti-social behaviour and/or low housing demand." Source: https://edemocracy.northyorks.gov.uk/documents/s27470/Appendix%20D%20Selective%20Licensing%20Policy.html?CT=2 Checked 2026-08-05. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Areas: Scarborough only; no other part of North Yorkshire has ever designated a selective area. Scarborough Town, 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2029: parts of Castle, Falsgrave and Stepney, and Northstead divisions. Scarborough South, 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2027: parts of Weaponness and Ramshill. Scarborough North (parts of Castle and North Bay) CEASED 30 June 2022 and is EXPIRED. North Yorkshire is a unitary created 1 April 2023 from Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Each flat under one licence | £100 |
- Discounts: previously licensed under Scarborough North or Central £260, membership £50 (NRLA, Eastern Landlord Association, SafeAgent, ARLA, Propertymark), early bird £50 to 31 August 2024, multiple applications £50 each
North Yorkshire — northyorks.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
Scheme runs until: 31 May 2029
North Yorkshire operates no additional HMO licensing scheme under s.56 anywhere in the county. The council's own Selective Licensing Policy states: "Of the seven former district authorities, only Scarborough Borough Council had designated areas for Selective Licensing", and every designation in the county (parts of Castle, Falsgrave and Stepney, and Northstead in Scarborough) is made under "Housing Act 2004 Sections 80 to 84", which is selective, per the council's own public notice. No predecessor Scarborough additional designation carried over on the April 2023 unitary reorganisation. Distinguished from York, a separate authority. Established 21 Aug 2026.
Common questions
Does North Yorkshire have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. North Yorkshire operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
Does North Yorkshire have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. North Yorkshire does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in North Yorkshire?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including North Yorkshire, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
Selective licensing in North Yorkshire: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in Yorkshire and the Humber →
Source: North Yorkshire licensing page →
Every landlord in North Yorkshire also needs
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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