County Durham: landlord licensing
County Durham operates discretionary property licensing. Here is what is in force, what is coming, and how to check whether your property is affected.
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Active selective licensing
Selective licensing applies to ordinary private rented homes (not just HMOs) within a designated area.
Selective licensing
activeOne of England's largest selective schemes: 103 designated areas across 36 wards (NOT whole-district). Example areas: Ferryhill Station & Chilton Lane, Ferryhill Dean Bank North, Horden Central, Shildon East. Check exact address via council postcode checker.
- Dates
- 1 Apr 2022 – 31 Mar 2027
- Approx. fee
- £585 (Part A £200 + Part B £385)
- Wards / areas
- Ferryhill, Chilton, Horden, Shildon
Proposed / under review
These schemes are consulted on or otherwise not yet formally in force. They do not require a licence today but are worth watching.
Selective licensing
proposedProposed replacement scheme from April 2027 (~20,000 properties, ~27% of the county). Consultation closes 12 Aug 2026. Not yet designated.
- Dates
- 1 Apr 2027 – TBC
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in County Durham let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households, who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, needs a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004. Licences last up to 5 years and the fee is set by the council.
Penalties for operating unlicensed
- Civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026).
- Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, claimable by the tenant.
- Unlimited fine on criminal prosecution, plus possible banning order.
- Once the national PRS Database is live, unregistered landlords can be blocked from regaining possession.
Notes
No additional HMO scheme. Wards array is example wards only, not the full 36; use council postcode checker for exact coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in County Durham?
County Durham operates 1 selective licensing scheme(s). Whether your specific property needs a licence depends on its exact location and how it is let, plus mandatory HMO licensing which applies England-wide to properties let to 5+ people in 2+ households.
What is the penalty for an unlicensed property in County Durham?
Operating a licensable property without a licence can lead to a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, an unlimited fine on prosecution, and a banning order for serious or repeat offenders.
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Data verified against council sources as of July 2026. PRSCheck is an information service, not legal advice. Many schemes are designated at street or part-ward level; confirm the exact boundary for your address with the council before relying on this page. Browse all councils.