Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
Yorkshire and the Humber
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
Former scheme notedMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- Low
- Public register
- Register exists but is clunky (2/5)
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 10
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
- At least one scheme uses street or custom-area boundaries, so a postcode match can only be approximate.
- 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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
Council updates
Get updates for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
We will email you if Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council 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
£79 · Live now
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Request the reportAlerts and monitoring
£12.99/month · Coming soon
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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
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
Hexthorpe Selective Licensing Scheme 2022-2027
All privately rented properties within the designated Hexthorpe area, subject to statutory exemptions
- Licence fee
- £600
- Fee guide
- Two-part fee structure: Part 1 (application) is fixed at £200 non-refundable. Part 2 (grant/compliance monitoring) is pro-rata sliding scale. Total fee depends on year of application: Year 1 £600, Year 2 £520, Year 3 £440, Year 4 £360, Year 5 £280. Late application surcharge of £50 applies where applications are received over 3 months after the property became licensable or where enforcement resources have been deployed. £50 discount on Part 2 fee for members of recognised landlord associations (e.g. NLA, RLA), provided they remain a member for the licence duration
- Discount available
- £50 discount on Part 2 fee for members of recognised landlord associations (e.g. NLA, RLA), provided they remain a member for the licence duration
- Designation date
- 15 November 2021
- Scheme period
- 1 March 2022 - 28 February 2027
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (pro-rata based on remaining scheme duration)
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Scheme introduced to address significant and persistent anti-social behaviour linked to the private rented sector in Hexthorpe. Annual self-declaration of compliance required from licence holders. Penalties for operating without a licence can include prosecution with unlimited fines. 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. Property types covered: All privately rented residential properties (non-HMO) within the designated area. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties licensed as HMOs under Part 2 Housing Act 2004 Properties owned by Registered Social Landlords Properties subject to management orders Properties managed by local authorities or emergency services Properties used for business tenancies Licensed premises (alcohol sales) Tenancies exceeding 21 years Properties let to family members Properties with lodgers sharing owner's accommodation.
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 LicensingExpired
Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2018-2023
Specific areas within Doncaster for smaller HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing
- HMO licence fee
- £890
- Fee guide
- Total licence fee was £890. Existing valid licences remain operative and must be complied with until they expire, even though the scheme has ended.
- Scheme period
- 1 October 2018 - 30 September 2023
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Scheme ended 30 September 2023. No new applications accepted. Valid licences issued before the deadline remain in force until expiry and all conditions must still be complied with. Property types covered: HMOs with 4 or more occupiers; Section 257 HMOs (self-contained flat buildings not meeting Building Regulations with fewer than two-thirds owner-occupied units). Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already covered by mandatory HMO licensing Properties managed by local authorities, registered social landlords, or emergency services Properties subject to Management Orders Certain student accommodation Religious community residences Owner-occupied with maximum two lodgers Two-person, two-household occupancy.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Selective LicensingExpired
Edlington Selective Licensing Scheme
Privately rented properties in the Edlington area
- Scheme period
- Start date not shown - 6 February 2023
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Scheme ended 6 February 2023. No new applications accepted. Property types covered: Privately rented residential properties.
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
- Yes
- Search method
- Map view
- Register usability
- Register exists but is clunky (2/5)
Register appears to cover
HMOSelective
Appears to cover HMO and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
Free service covering licensed HMOs and selective licences. Not supported in Internet Explorer. Last noted update: June 2023.
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
27 March 2026
Research confidence
High (87/100)
Sources checked
10
Research notes
Data extracted directly from multiple official Doncaster Council web pages. Fee structures, scheme dates, coverage areas, exemptions, and contact details all confirmed from primary sources. HMO fees confirmed as current for 2025-2026 period.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01302 737573
Important to verify
- Edlington scheme original start date not found
- Exact street boundaries of Hexthorpe designation area (available via interactive map only)
- Previous HMO fee amounts prior to 2025-2026 update
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/business-investment/selective-licensing
- https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/housing/houses-in-multiple-occupation-licensing
- https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/housing/hexthorpeslc
- https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/business-investment/check-licences-in-doncaster
- https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/business-investment/additional-licensing
- https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/doitonline/hmo-application-new
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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough 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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Borough-wide for all properties meeting the mandatory HMO criteria
- HMO fee guide
- £971
- Fee notes
- Fees effective 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. New application: £971 for up to 5 bedrooms plus £66 per additional bedroom. Renewal: £905 for up to 5 bedrooms plus £66 per additional bedroom. Part 1 fee of £200 payable on application, balance (Part 2) payable on grant. Additional £44 charge for extra correspondence needed to complete applications. Late payment fee of £50 if Part 2 not paid within 14 days. Additional £50 surcharge for enforcement of unlicensed properties or late applications (over 3 months).
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
Planning permission required before licence will be granted. Article 4 Direction applies in defined Doncaster areas requiring planning permission for HMO conversion. Standard conditions must be met within 6 months of licence commencement. Appeals against refusal or conditions must be made within 28 days to the Residential Property Tribunal. Annual gas safety certificate submission required. Property types covered: Properties rented to 5 or more people forming more than 1 household, where tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities and at least 1 tenant pays rent. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties controlled by local housing authorities Registered social housing providers Public sector bodies registered as social landlords Police and crime commissioners Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime Fire and rescue authorities Health Service Bodies Co-operative societies Properties regulated otherwise under Housing Act 2004 Student accommodation controlled by educational establishments Religious communities Owner-occupied properties Two-person, two-household properties.
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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council 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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £971; Hexthorpe Selective Licensing Scheme 2022-2027: £600; Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2018-2023: £890. 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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council?
- 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 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council 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.