Property Licensing Check
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A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Northumberland
North East
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Selective Licensing
Active selective
Additional Licensing
No active additional scheme shown
Mandatory HMO Licensing
Active mandatory HMO
Current status summary
What we currently show
Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council. This page combines scheme records, official verification links, and supporting local research. This public page currently has 10 sources linked or recorded.
What you still need to verify
Check live council wording for scheme boundaries, fees, dates, exemptions, application steps and whether the property setup changes the answer.
Official sources
A licensing page is available and should be treated as the main verification route.
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 Northumberland.
Council updates
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Check a postcode in Northumberland
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 Licensing - Croft Ward, Blyth (2024-2029)
Selective licensing of all private rented properties in the Croft Ward area of Blyth. The designated area is bounded by Hodgsons Road (B1329) to the north, Waterloo Road/Bridge Street (B1328) to the south, Regent Street (B1329) to the east, and Renwick Road (A193) to the west. The Croft Ward is in the top 1% for deprivation levels across England. Approximately 1,000 properties are in the Croft Ward of which around 550 are managed by private landlords. The scheme was designated on grounds of significant and persistent problems including anti-social behaviour, poor property conditions, high levels of deprivation, and low healthy life expectancy.
- Licence fee
- £650
- Fee guide
- £650 for non-accredited landlords; £495 for landlords accredited under Northumberland's PLAN accreditation scheme. Fees are paid in two parts: Fee A (non-refundable, paid at application, covers processing and administration) and Fee B (paid once council determines to grant licence, covers administration, management, and enforcement). The two-part fee structure was confirmed on the council website and in NRLA July 2024 update. Applications opened 16 September 2024. £155 discount (from £650 to £495) for members of the PLAN (Private Landlord Accreditation for Northumberland) accreditation scheme. PLAN is a free, voluntary accreditation programme. Members also receive one year's free NRLA membership and enhanced tenant vetting services.
- Discount available
- £155 discount (from £650 to £495) for members of the PLAN (Private Landlord Accreditation for Northumberland) accreditation scheme. PLAN is a free, voluntary accreditation programme. Members also receive one year's free NRLA membership and enhanced tenant vetting services.
- Scheme period
- 14 October 2024 - 13 October 2029
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years for compliant landlords; shorter periods may apply for landlords with management concerns or anti-social behaviour history
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Croft Ward, Blyth
Research notes
The scheme was approved by Northumberland County Council Cabinet on 9 July 2024, following an 11-week public consultation which ran from 14 August 2023. The consultation was the result of a Central Government application. Cabinet documents reveal the Croft Ward has the lowest male life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in the county. Applications for licences opened on 16 September 2024, six weeks before the scheme came into force on 14 October 2024. Online application via the Metastreet portal at northumberland.metastreet.co.uk. Failure to hold a 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. 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. The selective licensing public register is at northumberland.metastreet.co.uk/public-register and is searchable by postcode. Property types covered: All private rented residential properties within the Croft Ward designated area, unless otherwise exempt. Excludes mandatory HMOs, local authority and registered social landlord tenancies, business tenancies, long leasehold properties (21+ years), certain family lets, and holiday lets. Exemptions or exclusions: Mandatory HMOs (5+ occupants, 2+ households) properties where a Temporary Exemption Notice is in force (s.62 or s.86 Housing Act 2004) properties where a management order is in force (s.102 or s.113 Housing Act 2004) tenancies or licences granted by registered social landlords and housing providers business tenancies long leasehold properties (21+ years) certain family lets holiday lets.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
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 (82/100)
Sources checked
10
Research notes
The key facts for Northumberland are well-documented and consistent across multiple sources: the council's own website (northumberland.gov.uk), NRLA July 2024 licensing update, Kamma property licensing guide (July 2024 data), and the Northumberland Gazette news coverage of Cabinet approval. Selective licensing scheme details (dates, area, fee structure) are confirmed by multiple sources. The absence of an additional HMO licensing scheme is confirmed by both Kamma and NRLA ('there are currently no active additional licensing schemes in Northumberland'). The mandatory HMO fee (£525 + £105/unit) is confirmed by Kamma (July 2024). The main areas of lower confidence are: (1) whether the mandatory HMO fee has been updated since July 2024 - no more recent source available; (2) exact Part A / Part B fee split for selective licensing - not published in any accessible source found.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 0345 600 6400
Register access
Public RegisterAvailable Searchable
There are two separate registers. The selective licensing public register is hosted at northumberland.metastreet.co.uk/public-register and is searchable by postcode (requires JavaScript enabled). It is updated as licences are issued and covers properties licensed under the Croft Ward scheme. The mandatory HMO public register is NOT available online. The Housing Act 2004 requires every local authority to maintain a public register of HMO-licensed premises. To obtain a copy, contact the Public Health Protection Unit: telephone 01670 623870 (8:30am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8:30am-4:30pm Fri); email public.protection@northumberland.gov.uk. The selective licensing register also includes any Temporary Exemption Notices served and any Interim/Final Management Orders.
Important to verify
- Exact Part A / Part B fee split for selective licensing (not published in any accessible online source)
- Whether mandatory HMO fees have been updated since July 2024 (Kamma data dated July 2024 - may be out of date)
- Exact number of active licences on the selective licensing public register
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing
- https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Housing/Landlords.aspx
- https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/public-protection/pollution/public-registers
- https://northumberland.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s20296/Selective%20licensing%20proposal%20-%20Final%20draft.pdf
- https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/News/2023/Aug/Croft-consultation-begins-around-scheme-to-improve.aspx
- https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/your-july-local-property-licensing-update
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 Northumberland council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Mandatory HMO licensing applies throughout England under the Housing Act 2004, covering the entire administrative area of Northumberland. Required for all HMOs occupied by five or more people living as two or more separate households who share facilities (kitchen, bathroom, toilet). Extended from 1 October 2018 to cover all HMOs regardless of number of storeys (previously required 3+ storeys).
- HMO fee guide
- £525
- Fee notes
- £525 base fee, plus £105 per additional unit (i.e., per bedroom above the standard unit). Fees accurate as of July 2024 per Kamma. Applications are made by completing the HMO application form (Word or PDF format available from the council) and submitting with supporting documentation to: Public Protection Service, West Hartford Fire Station, Cramlington, NE23 3JP. Email: public.protection@northumberland.gov.uk. The council reviews applications, conducts fitness checks, and arranges payment upon approval.
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years; shorter periods may apply where there are management concerns or anti-social behaviour history
- Start date shown
- 6 April 2006
The HMO public register is not available online. To obtain a copy, contact the Public Health Protection Unit: telephone 01670 623870 (available 8:30am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-4:30pm Friday); email public.protection@northumberland.gov.uk. Required application documentation includes: completed HMO application form, HMO application guidance, 'fit and proper person' assessment form, and supporting documentation. A fit and proper person check is conducted using information from Northumbria Police and the Council Housing Benefit Department. 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. Note: if a late application is made, the unlicensed period may be deducted from the maximum five-year licence period to ensure equity with timely applicants. Property types covered: All HMOs with five or more occupants from two or more households sharing basic amenities. Includes shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals, properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities, and properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs with fewer than 5 occupants (though management standards still apply). Owner-occupied properties. Properties managed by public bodies. Properties 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 Northumberland
- Do I need a landlord licence in Northumberland?
- Northumberland 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 Northumberland?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Northumberland are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £525; Selective Licensing - Croft Ward, Blyth (2024-2029): £650. 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 Northumberland?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Northumberland. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Northumberland council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Northumberland?
- 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 Northumberland 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.