Selective licensing in North Yorkshire
Yes. North Yorkshire operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need a selective licence in North Yorkshire?
Yes. North Yorkshire operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of North Yorkshire does the scheme cover?
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. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does North Yorkshire's scheme end?
The designation runs until 31 May 2029, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£695 for a single-household property. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with North Yorkshire before budgeting.
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
What the designation says
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.
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 £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with North Yorkshire before letting.