Do I need a landlord licence in Middlesbrough Council?

Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough Council?

Based on our current data, licence fees in Middlesbrough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £755; Selective Landlord Licensing - Newport 1 (Phase 2): £998; Selective Landlord Licensing - Newport 2: £861; Selective Landlord Licensing - North Ormesby: £845. 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 Middlesbrough Council?

Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Middlesbrough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Middlesbrough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.

What happens if I rent without a licence in Middlesbrough 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.

Enhanced research coverage

Landlord licensing in Middlesbrough Council

North East

We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.

Selective licensing

Active selective

Additional HMO licensing

No active additional scheme shown

Mandatory 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: 8

Open the official council source

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.

Check the official council source Get a written property licensing check

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 Middlesbrough Council.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for Middlesbrough Council

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.

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.

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 payment

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 report

Alerts 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 monitoring

These are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.

Check a postcode in Middlesbrough 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

Selective Landlord Licensing - Newport 1 (Phase 2)

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.

Licence fee: £998
Fee guide: Plus a £20 one-off fit and proper person test fee. This higher fee has attracted legal challenge from landlords who called the scheme 'rapacious and unreasonable'.
Scheme period: 5 August 2024 - 22 July 2029
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years (all licences cease 22 July 2029)
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

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.

Verify on official council page

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 Landlord Licensing - Newport 2

All privately rented properties in the Newport 2 designated area. Part of the Newport ward selective licensing coverage.

Licence fee: £861
Fee guide: Plus a £20 one-off fit and proper person test fee.
Scheme period: 3 July 2023 - 2 July 2028
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years (all licences cease 2 July 2028)
Coverage: Selected wards: Newport (Area 2)

Research notes

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.

Verify on official council page

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 Landlord Licensing - North Ormesby

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.

Licence fee: £845
Fee guide: Plus a £20 one-off fit and proper person test fee.
Scheme period: 14 June 2021 - 13 June 2026
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years (ceases 13 June 2026)
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

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.

Verify on official council page

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)

HMOSelective

Appears to cover HMO and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.

Register notes

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

Open the public register

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 (70/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

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.

Council contact details

Email: selectivelicensing@middlesbrough.gov.uk
Phone: 01642 728100

Important to verify

Exact boundaries/streets of Newport 1 and Newport 2 areas
Full list of licence conditions
Direct link to online application form
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 Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough Council.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

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.

HMO fee guide: £755
Fee notes: Base fee of £755.42 plus £24.98 per additional bedroom. For example, a 10-bedroom HMO costs £1,121.30 and a 20-bedroom HMO costs £1,416.28. Fee is paid in two parts: initial fee at application stage and second payment once licence is approved. Fees reviewed and increased as of 1 July 2024 (had not been reviewed for 12 years prior).
Typical licence term: 5 years
Start date shown: 1 January 2006

There are currently about 1,730 people living in 245 licensed HMOs in Middlesbrough. 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. 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. 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.

View HMO licensing info on council website

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

View full compliance checklist →

Common questions about licensing in Middlesbrough Council

Do I need a landlord licence in Middlesbrough Council?: Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough Council?: Based on our current data, licence fees in Middlesbrough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £755; Selective Landlord Licensing - Newport 1 (Phase 2): £998; Selective Landlord Licensing - Newport 2: £861; Selective Landlord Licensing - North Ormesby: £845. 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 Middlesbrough Council?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Middlesbrough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Middlesbrough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in Middlesbrough 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 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.