Property licensing in the North East
We track 1 council in the North East. Each one is checked against the council’s own website, most recently on 10 October 2026. Always confirm the exact street on the council’s map before you let a property.
At a glance
- Selective licensing (every privately rented home in the area needs a licence): Middlesbrough Council.
- Additional HMO licensing (smaller shared houses, usually 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households): none of the councils we track in the North East.
Mandatory HMO licensing applies in every council area in England: a licence is needed for a house shared by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households.
| Council | Schemes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough Council | Selective licensing | 10 October 2026 |
Council by council
Middlesbrough Council
- Selective licensing: Newport 2 area (part of Newport ward). From 3 July 2023 to 2 July 2028. Fee: £878 plus a £20 one-off fit and proper person test fee.
- Selective licensing: Newport 1 area (part of Newport ward), re-designated in 2024. to 22 July 2029. Fee: £998 (£499 on application, £499 on grant) plus £20 fit and proper person check per proposed licence holder.
Full details for Middlesbrough Council, including how to apply and penalties.
How to check whether your property needs a licence
- Find the council for the property’s address. Our licensing checker suggests the likely council from the postcode.
- Check which schemes cover the street. Schemes often cover only some wards, so use the council’s own map or postcode search.
- Apply before you let the property, or as soon as a new scheme starts. Councils can impose a civil penalty or prosecute for an unlicensed property, and tenants can apply for a rent repayment order.
New to this? Read HMO licensing explained, and keep your gas safety, EICR and EPC dates in order with our compliance record. This page is general information, not legal advice.