Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in County Durham
North East
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageOur current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.
Selective licensing
Active selectiveAdditional HMO licensing
Proposed scheme notedMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- Medium
- Public register
- Not yet confirmed
- Last reviewed
- 28 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 3
Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.
Recommended next step
Verify the position with the official council source
Our current data shows an active local scheme and a clear area match. The fastest reliable next step is to confirm the current fees, dates, boundaries, and exemptions on the official council source before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action.
What still adds uncertainty
- Proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and could change the position before or after they start.
- Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.
Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.
Verify with the council
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with County Durham.
Council updates
Get updates for County Durham
We will email you if County Durham introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.
If you need more than the council page
This page may already answer a lot of the question. Use the paid products only if you want a quicker written summary, a more risk-focused view, or ongoing monitoring.
Licensing Due Diligence Report
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A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Request the reportAlerts and monitoring
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A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
See alerts and monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in County Durham
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Local licensing scheme records
Selective LicensingActive
County Durham Selective Licensing Scheme
103 designated areas across County Durham, covering approximately 29,000 privately rented properties and representing approximately 42% of the county's entire private rented sector. Areas are defined by Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) rather than ward boundaries and cover over 50 wards. Geographic focus includes East Durham's former mining villages (e.g. Easington, Horden, Murton, Seaham), Bishop Auckland and surrounding towns, and various North Durham towns. Designated areas were selected based on evidence of low housing demand, anti-social behaviour, poor property conditions, high levels of deprivation, high levels of migration, and/or high levels of crime. Landlords can check whether a specific property falls within a designated area using the postcode checker on the council's selective licensing portal.
- Licence fee
- £565
- Fee guide
- £565
- Discount available
- £145 discount (fee £420 instead of £565) for existing selective licence holders applying for additional properties from 1 April 2025, subject to all supporting documentation being provided within 12 weeks of the property becoming licensable. The discount does not apply if the property should have been licensed from scheme commencement but was not.
- Scheme period
- 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2027
- Typical licence term
- Until 31 March 2027 (fixed end date for all licences regardless of application date; not transferable on change of ownership or manager)
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Over 50 wards across County Durham, 103 designated MSOA-based areas, East Durham former mining communities (Easington, Horden, Murton, Seaham, Peterlee area), Bishop Auckland and surrounding towns, North Durham towns, Full list available via postcode checker at durham.gov.uk/selectivelicensing
Research notes
One of the largest selective licensing schemes in England. Originally proposed to cover 65% of the county (~51,000 properties) but scaled back to 103 areas (~29,000 properties) following consultation. Cabinet approval: 16 September 2020. Secretary of State approval: 30 November 2021. Legal basis: Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. Designated using Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) for alignment with national statistics. As at early 2025: 17,000+ applications received, 16,500+ licences granted, 7 prohibition orders served, emergency repairs at 4 properties, 150+ civil penalty notices for failure to licence or comply with improvement notices, £1.38 million in total fines imposed across 3 years, 5 prosecutions. The scheme is 'undergoing a full review' expected to report in 2025/2026. Enforcement: civil penalties; criminal prosecution; Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. Licence conditions require: gas safety certificate (provided to tenants at tenancy start and to council within 28 days of demand); EICR dated within 5 years; smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; EPC; property free from Category 1 hazards; compliance inspection access (48 hours notice); tenancy agreement requiring tenant to seek consent before allowing additional occupants.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Additional LicensingProposed
Additional HMO Licensing - Evidence-Gathering Study (Durham City)
Not yet designated. In August/September 2024, Durham County Council agreed to undertake an evidence-gathering study to inform the potential need for additional HMO licensing in Durham City. A report of findings is to be made to Members. No scheme has been designated and no consultation has been launched as of March 2026.
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Durham City (under investigation - not yet designated)
Research notes
Durham County Council is not currently operating any additional licensing scheme. The council agreed (August/September 2024) to conduct an evidence-gathering study specifically for Durham City, given the high concentration of HMOs and student accommodation in that area. Durham City has had an Article 4 Direction since September 2016. There is significant community concern about HMO proliferation in Durham City (near Durham University). No timeline given for when findings will be presented to Members or whether a formal consultation or designation will follow. Kamma (as of July 2025) confirmed the council is 'not currently planning to introduce any new licensing schemes', suggesting the evidence-gathering study had not yet led to a designation decision.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Public licensing register
Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.
- Public register found
- Not confirmed
- Search method
- Search by postcode
- Register usability
- Clear searchable register (1/5)
Register appears to cover
HMOSelective
Appears to cover HMO and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The public register at propertylicensing.durham.gov.uk/public-register is searchable by postcode and covers all properties with a current licence (both selective and HMO licences). The register is updated periodically as new licences are issued and is maintained under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004 (which requires every local housing authority to establish and maintain a register of licences granted under Parts 2 and 3 of the Act). A separate legacy PDF register is available at durham.gov.uk/article/2865 for HMO licences granted on the council's previous case management system. Suspected unlicensed properties can be reported via the council's reporting tool on the portal. No bulk data download of the full register appears to be available. The selective licensing register and HMO licensing register are both accessible through the unified propertylicensing.durham.gov.uk portal.
We do not yet show a direct public register link for this council.
The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.
Research summary
These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
28 March 2026
Research confidence
High (79/100)
Sources checked
3
Research notes
Durham County Council's selective licensing scheme is one of the highest-profile schemes in England and is extensively documented. Multiple official council pages were directly accessible and confirmed key details. The portal propertylicensing.durham.gov.uk is fully functional. Third-party sources (Kamma, LandlordZone, Landlord Knowledge, Landlords Defence) independently corroborate all major facts. Fees (both at launch and from April 2025), scheme dates, coverage statistics, enforcement figures, and HMO licensing details are all consistently reported across multiple sources. The GSS code E06000047 is confirmed by ONS. The only areas of lower confidence are: (a) the complete list of the 103 specific MSOA designated areas (these are available via the council's postcode checker but not as a static published list in accessible search results); (b) the exact timeline/outcome of the additional licensing evidence-gathering study; and (c) whether a post-2027 renewal consultation has been formally launched.
Important to verify
- Complete published list of all 103 MSOA designated areas (available via postcode checker only, not as a static list in accessible pages)
- Selective licensing fees from April 2022 to March 2025 (intermediate fee between launch £500 and current £565 - unclear if there was a 2023/24 increase)
- Number of HMOs currently licensed under mandatory scheme (total count)
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
Mandatory HMO licensing
All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from County Durham council.
Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with County Durham council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Borough-wide mandatory licensing for all HMOs in County Durham occupied by 5 or more persons forming 2 or more separate households. Extended nationally from October 2018 to cover all HMOs meeting the occupancy threshold regardless of number of storeys (previously required 3+ storeys).
- HMO fee guide
- £1,020
- Fee notes
- £1020
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Start date shown
- 6 April 2006
Contact for HMO licensing: hmo@durham.gov.uk / 03000 261 016 (Consumer Protection team). General enquiries also to ehcp@durham.gov.uk. Applicants must demonstrate they are a 'fit and proper person' through background checks. An inspection is required before approval. Appeal rights: 28 days to appeal rejections or conditions to a residential property tribunal. Article 4 Directions applying in County Durham require planning permission before converting a family home to an HMO: Durham City (from 17 September 2016); Framwellgate Moor, Newton Hall, Pity Me (from 13 May 2017); Mount Oswald, Carrville, Belmont (from 14 January 2022); Remainder of County Durham (from 17 August 2026 - full countywide Article 4 Direction, agreed following consultation where ~80% of 1,400+ respondents supported the proposal). The countywide Article 4 Direction means all HMOs across Durham will require planning permission from August 2026. Minimum room size standards apply under the Housing Act 2004 licensing conditions. Criminal prosecution and unlimited fines apply for unlicensed HMOs.
Other compliance requirements
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
- EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
- Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
- Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts
Common questions about licensing in County Durham
- Do I need a landlord licence in County Durham?
- County Durham currently operates selective licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
- How much does a property licence cost in County Durham?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in County Durham are approximately: County Durham Selective Licensing Scheme: £565; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,020. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
- Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in County Durham?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including County Durham. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to County Durham council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in County Durham?
- Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.
Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you
Use these routes to move from the County Durham summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.
Landlord with a standard let→
Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.
Shared occupancy or possible HMO→
Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.
Check if a property has an HMO licence→
Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.
Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→
Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.
Letting agent or portfolio manager→
Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.
Understand selective licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader legal background on how selective licensing works alongside this council page.
Need the area-based route→
Use the selective licensing page if the real question is whether a standard rented home sits inside a designated area.
Tenant checking landlord compliance→
Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.