Yorkshire & Humber · Council licensing
Rotherham 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. Check the council for the current fee.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council operates a NEW Selective Licensing scheme covering SIX designated areas of the borough. Confirmed directly on Rotherham Council's "Selective Licensing 2026 to 2031" webpage. Designation date: 14 November 2025 (made under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004 using powers granted by The Housing Act 2004 General Approval 2024). Operative date: 15 February 2026. Expiry: 14 February 2031 (5-year scheme). Designation does NOT require Secretary of State confirmation as the council qualifies under General Approval. The SIX designated areas are: (1) Eastwood / Town Centre / Boston Castle (combined area), (2) Clifton, (3) Masbrough / Kimberworth, (4) Thurcroft, (5) Dinnington / Brinsworth, (6) Parkgate. NOTE: The previous 2020-2025 scheme included Maltby South East but Maltby has NOT been re-designated in the 2026-2031 scheme. The council's previous selective licensing schemes (2015-2020 and 2020-2025) successfully tackled Category 1 and 2 hazards and reduced anti-social behaviour faster than the borough average (94.2% inspection compliance by March 2018, 1,850 inspections completed). Within the designated areas, all private landlords or property managers must obtain a selective licence regardless of HMO status, subject to standard exemptions. Penalties: unlimited fine on conviction, civil penalty up to £30,000 as alternative to prosecution, rent repayment orders, prevention from holding a licence. FEES: £210 administrative fee plus £785 maintenance fee = £995 total per property for 5 years (proposed fee structure per Kamma March 2025; Cabinet-approved figures may differ slightly). Apply via Rotherham Council Community Protection Unit.
Areas: Town centre / Eastwood / Clifton / Boston Castle, Masbrough / Kimberworth, Thurcroft, Dinnington, Brinsworth, Parkgate
Scheme runs until: 14 February 2031
No additional licensing scheme is currently in force.
Source: Rotherham licensing page →
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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