Property Licensing Check
£29 · Live now
A property-specific PDF licensing report with a verification email template, current scheme fees, and a £30,000 risk context block — delivered to your inbox automatically.
Continue to secure paymentEnhanced research coverage
Council websiteLandlord licensing in Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
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
Active additionalMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- Low
- Public register
- Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 25
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 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council.
Council updates
Get updates for Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
We will email you if Gateshead 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 Gateshead 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
Additional LicensingActive
Additional HMO Licensing - Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas (2025-2030)
Additional HMO licensing scheme approved by Cabinet on 18 February 2025, coming into force for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 selective licensing areas from 1 June 2025. Applies to HMOs occupied by three or four unrelated persons, living in two or more separate households sharing one or more basic amenity, that fall outside the scope of mandatory HMO licensing. The scheme covers the same 16 neighbourhood areas as the selective licensing scheme and is described in some sources as effectively borough-wide. Approximately 370 larger HMOs are estimated to be affected.
- HMO licence fee
- £976
- Fee guide
- £976.30 per additional HMO licence. Fee paid in two parts during the online application process. Early bird discount available for applications before scheme start date. Accreditation discount of £75 off Part B payment for local landlord association members and Safeagent-accredited agents. Multiple property discount: £10 reduction per property for second and subsequent simultaneous applications. £75 discount off Part B payment for members of local landlord associations or Safeagent-accredited agents. Early bird discount for early applications. Multiple property discount of £10 off per property (second and subsequent) when applied simultaneously.
- Discount available
- £75 discount off Part B payment for members of local landlord associations or Safeagent-accredited agents. Early bird discount for early applications. Multiple property discount of £10 off per property (second and subsequent) when applied simultaneously.
- Scheme period
- 1 June 2025 - 31 May 2030
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (maximum duration for the scheme period ending 31 May 2030)
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
Designated under Housing Act 2004, Part 2. Applies to both Phase 1 and Phase 2 geographic areas from 1 June 2025 (unlike selective licensing which phased in at different dates). Designation shall cease to have effect on 31 May 2030. Did not require Secretary of State confirmation under the Housing Act 2004: Licensing General Approval 2024. Kamma Data (April 2024) noted Gateshead consulted on an additional licensing scheme 'approved in July 2025' - this is likely a reference to the 18 February 2025 Cabinet decision or a slight date discrepancy. The figure of £976.30 for the additional HMO fee is confirmed by multiple sources. Non-compliance can lead to prosecution. 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. Property types covered: HMOs occupied by three or four unrelated persons living in two or more separate households and sharing one or more basic amenity (kitchen or bathroom). Applies to properties outside the scope of mandatory HMO licensing (i.e., those with 3-4 occupants rather than 5+). Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with 5 or more occupants that already require mandatory HMO licensing are exempt. Standard exemptions under Housing Act 2004 apply.
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 LicensingActive
Selective Licensing - Phase 1 (2025-2030)
Phase 1 of the new Gateshead selective licensing scheme, approved by Cabinet on 18 February 2025. Covers 8 Lower Super Output Areas (neighbourhoods) in Gateshead. Applies to all private rented properties let to a single person, two people sharing, or a single household within the designated areas, unless a statutory exemption applies. The 8 Phase 1 areas include 5,391 addresses in total across both phases combined. Phase 1 covers parts of the Bensham/Saltwell area, High Fell, Birtley, and Chopwell.
- Licence fee
- £850
- Fee guide
- £850 per selective licence. Fee is paid in two parts during the online application process. Early bird discount available for applications submitted before the scheme commencement date. Applications accepted from 1 March 2025. Accreditation discount of £75 off the Part B payment available for members of local landlord associations and Safeagent-accredited agents. Discount is not applied where the council has made two requests for additional documents or served a warning letter. Multiple property discount: fee for second and subsequent properties reduced by £10 per property when applications are submitted simultaneously. £75 discount off Part B payment for members of local landlord associations or Safeagent-accredited agents. Early bird discount for applications made before scheme start date. Multiple property discount of £10 off per property (second and subsequent) when applied simultaneously.
- Discount available
- £75 discount off Part B payment for members of local landlord associations or Safeagent-accredited agents. Early bird discount for applications made before scheme start date. Multiple property discount of £10 off per property (second and subsequent) when applied simultaneously.
- Scheme period
- 1 June 2025 - 31 May 2030
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (maximum duration for the scheme period ending 31 May 2030)
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Designated under Housing Act 2004, Part 3, Section 80. Scheme came into force 1 June 2025 and ceases 31 May 2030 (unless revoked earlier under Section 84). Did not require Secretary of State confirmation under the Housing Act 2004: Licensing General Approval 2024 (in force 23 December 2024). Non-compliance is an offence. 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. Criminal prosecution can carry an unlimited fine. Council may also revoke the licence and make a Management Order. The designation was approved at Cabinet on 18 February 2025 by Kevin Scarlett, Head of Housing. Property types covered: All private rented residential properties let to a single person, two people sharing, or a single household within the designated areas. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties with a mandatory HMO licence are exempt from selective licensing. Standard exemptions under Housing Act 2004 also apply (e.g. social housing, properties covered by other regulatory frameworks, temporary exemption notices).
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 LicensingActive
Selective Licensing - Phase 2 (2025-2030)
Phase 2 of the new Gateshead selective licensing scheme, approved by Cabinet on 18 February 2025. Covers 8 Lower Super Output Areas (neighbourhoods) in Gateshead. Applies to all private rented properties let to a single person, two people sharing, or a single household within the designated areas, unless a statutory exemption applies. Phase 2 covers parts of Felling, Derwentwater, Swalwell/MetroCentre, and Shipcote areas.
- Licence fee
- £850
- Fee guide
- £850 per selective licence. Fee is paid in two parts during the online application process. Same fee structure as Phase 1; applications accepted from 1 March 2025. Early bird and accreditation discounts apply on the same terms as Phase 1. £75 discount off Part B payment for members of local landlord associations or Safeagent-accredited agents. Multiple property discount of £10 off per property (second and subsequent) when applied simultaneously.
- Discount available
- £75 discount off Part B payment for members of local landlord associations or Safeagent-accredited agents. Multiple property discount of £10 off per property (second and subsequent) when applied simultaneously.
- Scheme period
- 1 October 2025 - 30 September 2030
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (maximum duration for the scheme period ending 30 September 2030)
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Phase 2 came into force 1 October 2025 and ceases 30 September 2030 (unless revoked earlier). Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 together cover 16 Lower Super Output Areas across 10 wards (Birtley, Bridges, Chopwell & Rowlands Gill, Deckham, Felling, High Fell, Lobley Hill & Bensham, Saltwell, Whickham North, and Dunston & Teams). Total properties covered across both phases: approximately 5,391 addresses. Non-compliance can lead to prosecution. 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. Property types covered: All private rented residential properties let to a single person, two people sharing, or a single household within the designated areas. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties with a mandatory HMO licence are exempt from selective licensing. Standard exemptions under Housing Act 2004 also apply.
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
Selective Licensing - Central Bensham Redesignated Area (2018-2023) (EXPIRED)
A redesignated selective licensing area within the former Central Gateshead scheme boundary. Designated to allow continued close working with landlords, residents, and tenants in an area where there was a likelihood that standards could return to pre-licensing practices without continued regulation. Covered a smaller, refined area within the original Central Gateshead scheme.
- Fee guide
- Historical scheme - exact fee amounts not confirmed.
- Scheme period
- 30 April 2018 - 29 April 2023
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
This expired scheme ran from 30 April 2018 to 29 April 2023. It was a redesignation of part of the Central Gateshead selective licensing scheme (which expired April 2018) to maintain oversight in areas considered at highest risk of standards regression. The areas covered by this expired scheme now fall within the 2025-2030 Phase 1 selective licensing scheme (e.g., Bensham North/Windmill Hills, The Avenues). Property types covered: All private rented residential properties within the designated area. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard exemptions under Housing Act 2004.
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
Selective Licensing - Central Gateshead Scheme (circa 2013-2018) (EXPIRED)
The original Central Gateshead selective licensing scheme covering private rented properties in the Bensham and surrounding areas of central Gateshead. The scheme ran for five years and was evaluated before expiry. A consultation found 86% of responding residents favoured continuation and 50% of responding landlords agreed continued licensing should be considered.
- Fee guide
- Historical scheme - exact fee amounts not confirmed.
- Scheme period
- Start date not shown - 1 April 2018
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
This scheme expired approximately April 2018. The council evaluation noted 59 enforcement notices served and over 350 letters sent to landlords and owners during the scheme. At expiry, a redesignated sub-area (Central Bensham) was created. The broader areas are now part of the 2025-2030 schemes. Property types covered: All private rented residential properties within the designated area. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard exemptions under Housing Act 2004.
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
Selective Licensing - Sunderland Road Scheme (circa 2013-2018) (EXPIRED)
A previous selective licensing scheme for the Sunderland Road area of Gateshead. Expired approximately April 2018. The Sunderland Road area is now included in the 2025-2030 Phase 2 selective licensing scheme.
- Fee guide
- Historical scheme - exact fee amounts not confirmed.
- Scheme period
- Start date not shown - 1 April 2018
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
This scheme expired approximately April 2018. The Sunderland Road area is included again in Phase 2 of the 2025-2030 selective licensing designation. Property types covered: All private rented residential properties within the designated area. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard exemptions under Housing Act 2004.
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
- Download a file (PDF or spreadsheet)
- Register usability
- Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
Register appears to cover
HMOAdditional (unconfirmed)Selective (no public register)
Appears to cover HMO licences, but our notes suggest no public register for selective licensing - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
Gateshead Council maintains two registers under Housing Act 2004 requirements: (1) the Selective Landlord Licences Register, listing all properties where a licence is currently in force with the licence holder name and address and property manager if applicable; and (2) the Temporary Exemption Notices Register, listing all properties with a current licensing exemption. Both registers are available for viewing by appointment at the Private Sector Housing Offices, 2nd Floor, Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead, NE8 1HH. A paper copy of either register is available on request for a £50 charge. There is no publicly searchable online register for selective licensing. For mandatory HMO licensing, a PDF public register has been published at the council website (most recent known version: Public_Part_2_HMO_Register_2023.pdf, though the URL returned 403 at time of extraction). The Kamma property guide and legislate.tech both describe the HMO register as available online as a PDF download.
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 (76/100)
Sources checked
25
Research notes
The core data (scheme types, designated areas, start/end dates, fees, and consultation timeline) is well-confirmed across multiple official and specialist sources. The gateshead.gov.uk website returned HTTP 403 for direct page fetches, but official search result summaries from Google surfaced detailed content from the council pages themselves. The public notice portal (publicnoticeportal.uk) confirmed the statutory designation details. Kamma Data and NRLA April 2025 update confirmed fee amounts. The £850 selective fee and £976.30 additional HMO fee are confirmed by multiple sources. Mandatory HMO fee (£976.30 / £1,063.60) is from Kamma April 2024 data only and may be slightly outdated. The moderngov.co.uk Fees and Charges 2025/26 PDF was inaccessible (binary encoding issue). The public register status (by appointment, not online) is confirmed via multiple source summaries.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 0191 433 3926
Important to verify
- Exact Part A / Part B fee split for selective, additional HMO, and mandatory HMO licences
- Confirmed current mandatory HMO licence fee (Kamma April 2024 data may be outdated; moderngov fees PDF was unreadable)
- Early bird discount specific amount (confirmed it exists but exact value not published in accessible sources)
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/31462/Designation-of-selective-and-additional-houses-in-multiple-occupation-HMO-licensing
- https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/28716/Selective-and-Additional-Houses-in-Multiple-Occupation-HMO-Licensing
- https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/31461/Public-notice
- https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/7109/Apply-for-a-selective-landlord-licence
- https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/7131/About-selective-landlord-licensing
- https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/7130/Selective-landlord-licensing-conditions
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 Gateshead 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 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Mandatory HMO licensing applies throughout England and therefore covers the entire borough of Gateshead. Required for all HMOs occupied by five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Extended in October 2018 to include all HMOs regardless of number of storeys (previously required 3 or more storeys). Properties with a mandatory HMO licence are exempt from selective and additional licensing requirements.
- HMO fee guide
- £976
- Fee notes
- Kamma Data (April 2024) states mandatory HMO licence fee as £976.30 for up to 14 bedrooms and £1,063.60 for 15 or more bedrooms. These figures may be subject to change; Kamma notes fees were accurate as of 18 April 2024. Fee paid in two parts during the online application process. No repayment of the licence fee will be made for any un-expired period if the property changes ownership - a fresh full fee is required from the new applicant. Accreditation discount of £75 off Part B payment may apply for members of recognised landlord associations or Safeagent-accredited agents. Multiple property discount of £10 off per property for second and subsequent simultaneous applications. Discounts not applicable where council has made two requests for additional documents or issued a warning letter.
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years; not transferable on change of ownership
- Start date shown
- 6 April 2006
Administered nationally under Housing Act 2004, Part 2. Properties holding a mandatory HMO licence are exempt from selective and additional licensing requirements. Council also maintains a public HMO register (PDF published at gateshead.gov.uk, most recent confirmed version is Public_Part_2_HMO_Register_2023.pdf, though the URL returned 403 at time of extraction). Guidance notes for HMO licence applications and HMO renewal licences are available on the council website. Failure to licence is a criminal offence. 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. Criminal prosecution can carry an unlimited fine. Council can revoke licence and make a Management Order. Property types covered: All HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen or bathroom. Includes shared houses, bedsits, mixed-use conversions, and purpose-built HMOs meeting the occupancy threshold. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with fewer than 5 occupants (though management regulations still apply). Owner-occupied properties. Properties managed by a public body. Buildings regulated under other statutory frameworks.
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 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council currently operates selective licensing and additional HMO 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 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing - Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas (2025-2030): £976; Mandatory HMO Licensing (Borough-Wide): £976; Selective Licensing - Phase 1 (2025-2030): £850; Selective Licensing - Phase 2 (2025-2030): £850; Selective Licensing - Central Bensham Redesignated Area (2018-2023) (EXPIRED): Historical scheme - exact fee amounts not confirmed; Selective Licensing - Central Gateshead Scheme (circa 2013-2018) (EXPIRED): Historical scheme - exact fee amounts not confirmed; Selective Licensing - Sunderland Road Scheme (circa 2013-2018) (EXPIRED): Historical scheme - exact fee amounts not confirmed. 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 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Gateshead 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 Gateshead 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.
Understand additional licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader background on how additional HMO licensing works alongside this council page.
Need the local HMO route→
Use the additional licensing page if the real question is whether a smaller shared house needs a local licence here.
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.