North East · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Northumberland
✓ Hand-verified 25 Aug 2026Northumberland 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.
Northumberland 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.
Confirmed live scheme (first-party research 19 Aug 2026). The council's private landlords and tenants page states "All private rented properties within a selective licensing area require a licence unless otherwise exempt. The licensing scheme came into effect on 14 October 2024. The scheme is due to end on the 13 October 2029. The designation applies to the Croft Ward area of Blyth, bounded by and including Hodgsons Road (B1329) to the north; Waterloo Road/Bridge Street (B1328) to the south; Regent Street (B1329) to the east; and Renwick Road (A193) to the west." The sealed designation instrument is published on the council domain (Sealed-Designation-of-selective-licensing-area-Croft-Ward-Blyth-1_1.pdf). A consultation on the proposal ran in 2023 via northumberland.moderngov.co.uk. Council page last updated 18 August 2026. Distinct from North Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Areas: Croft Ward, Blyth: bounded by and including Hodgsons Road (B1329) to the north, Waterloo Road / Bridge Street (B1328) to the south, Regent Street (B1329) to the east and Renwick Road (A193) to the west
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part 1 | £200 |
| Part 2 | £450 |
| Total | £650 |
- Late application £250; bulk discount £25 after the third property; change of licence holder £80
Northumberland, read 25 August 2026
Scheme runs until: 13 October 2029
Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council's private landlords and tenants page (last updated 18 August 2026) sets out mandatory HMO licensing and the Croft Ward selective designation, and names no s.56 additional HMO designation anywhere in Northumberland. The page presents the selective designation as the only discretionary licensing the council operates. Mandatory HMO fee was not captured as a first-party figure in this pass; next step is the council licensing fees page.
Common questions
Does Northumberland have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. Northumberland 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 Northumberland have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Northumberland 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 Northumberland?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Northumberland, 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 Northumberland: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in North East →
Source: Northumberland licensing page →
Every landlord in Northumberland 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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