Selective licensing in North Yorkshire

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 £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.

North Yorkshire's own licensing page →