North East
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Shown as active
No local scheme shown
Shown as active
This page includes the scheme records we currently hold, but council policies and boundaries can change. Treat it as a researched starting point and verify the latest position on the official council pages before acting.
Based on publicly available information, we show the licensing status we currently hold for Middlesbrough Council, highlight mandatory HMO rules, and link you to official council sources for verification where we currently have them.
Confirm the current scheme boundary, licence fee, exemptions, application route, and any recent policy changes on the council website before making decisions.
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Middlesbrough Council.
We research council licensing information from public sources and present it as general guidance. We do not replace the council's own licensing pages or legal advice.
Council updates
We will email you if Middlesbrough 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.
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.
Property Licensing Check
Live now
A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.
Best for: Best for landlords, agents, and buyers who want written clarity quickly on one case.
Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days
Licensing Due Diligence Report
Coming soon
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Best for: Best for buyers, investors, agents, landlords refinancing, and conveyancers handling material decisions.
Delivery: Analyst-reviewed report with stronger risk framing
Alerts and monitoring
Coming soon
A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.
Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts
These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Mandatory licensing applies to all HMOs occupied by 5 or more persons living as 2 or more separate households, sharing amenities such as kitchens and bathrooms. Applies borough-wide across all of Middlesbrough. Extended to all HMOs (not just 3+ storeys) from 1 October 2018.
There are currently about 1,730 people living in 245 licensed HMOs in Middlesbrough. Non-compliance penalties can reach up to £30,000 per non-compliant property plus rent repayment orders of up to 12 months. A £45,000 fine was issued for student accommodation in central Middlesbrough as a recent enforcement example. New HMO planning restrictions introduced in 2025 requiring planning permission to convert properties to HMOs for up to 6 people. Property types covered: Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals. Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities. Any HMO with 5+ people from 2+ households.. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with 4 or fewer occupants do not need a mandatory licence but must still meet certain standards including amenities and minimum room sizes..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
All privately rented properties in the Newport 1 designated area. This is Phase 2, replacing the original Newport 1 scheme which ended on 12 June 2024. The new designation began on 5 August 2024.
Newport 1 Phase 1 ended 12 June 2024. Phase 2 began 5 August 2024 with an increased fee of £998. Property types covered: All privately rented residential properties in the designated area. Small HMOs with 3 or 4 occupants and more than one household need a selective licence.. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households (these require mandatory HMO licensing instead). Owner-occupied properties are exempt..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
All privately rented properties in the Newport 2 designated area. Part of the Newport ward selective licensing coverage.
Property types covered: All privately rented residential properties in the designated area. Small HMOs with 3 or 4 occupants and more than one household need a selective licence.. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households (these require mandatory HMO licensing instead). Owner-occupied properties are exempt..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
All privately rented properties in the North Ormesby designated area, regardless of the number of occupants or households formed. Evidence shows significant and ongoing anti-social behaviour and low demand for housing linked to the private rental sector in North Ormesby.
The council will inspect all privately rented properties within the designated area. Inspections led by a multi-agency team including Environmental Health Officers, Selective Licensing Officers, and Neighbourhood Safety Officers. Property types covered: All privately rented residential properties in the designated area. Small HMOs with 3 or 4 occupants and more than one household need a selective licence. HMOs with 5+ occupants need a mandatory HMO licence instead.. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households (these require mandatory HMO licensing instead). Owner-occupied properties are exempt..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
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 (70/100)
Sources checked
8
Council website returned 403 errors on direct scraping. Data compiled from web search results, Kamma property licensing guide, council open data portal, and news sources. Core scheme details (dates, fees, areas) are well-corroborated across multiple sources. Some details like exact exemption lists, full licence conditions, and application form URLs could not be verified directly from the council site.
HMO public register available via the council's Open Data portal. Selective landlord licence registers are updated every 2 weeks. Open data contact: data@middlesbrough.gov.uk
Supporting sources
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 Middlesbrough Council.
Mandatory licensing applies to all HMOs occupied by 5 or more persons living as 2 or more separate households, sharing amenities such as kitchens and bathrooms. Applies borough-wide across all of Middlesbrough. Extended to all HMOs (not just 3+ storeys) from 1 October 2018.
There are currently about 1,730 people living in 245 licensed HMOs in Middlesbrough. Non-compliance penalties can reach up to £30,000 per non-compliant property plus rent repayment orders of up to 12 months. A £45,000 fine was issued for student accommodation in central Middlesbrough as a recent enforcement example. New HMO planning restrictions introduced in 2025 requiring planning permission to convert properties to HMOs for up to 6 people. Property types covered: Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals. Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities. Any HMO with 5+ people from 2+ households.. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with 4 or fewer occupants do not need a mandatory licence but must still meet certain standards including amenities and minimum room sizes..
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
Use these routes to move from the Middlesbrough 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.
We only load optional Google Analytics and Google AdSense cookies if you accept them. They help us measure usage and fund the service. Privacy policy