Newcastle upon Tyne: landlord licensing
Newcastle upon Tyne 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
activeByker Old Town (~533 properties) and Greater High Cross / Benwell (~325 properties). Original designation, expires 30 Sep 2026.
- Dates
- 1 Oct 2021 – 30 Sept 2026
- Approx. fee
- £1,000
- Wards / areas
- Byker, Elswick, Benwell & Scotswood
Selective licensing
activeSix-area scheme launched 5 April 2025 (partial ward coverage): Cowgate, West End Terraces, parts of Benwell, Lemington, Denton Court, Columbia Grange.
- Dates
- 5 Apr 2025 – 5 Apr 2030
- Approx. fee
- £900
- Wards / areas
- Arthur's Hill, Benwell & Scotswood, Blakelaw, Elswick, Kenton, Lemington, West Fenham, Wingrove
Active additional (HMO) licensing
Additional licensing extends HMO licensing to smaller shared houses (typically 3-4 sharers) that fall below the mandatory threshold.
Additional (HMO) licensing
activeCity-wide additional HMO licensing (smaller HMOs occupied by 3+ people in 2+ households). Replaced the previous 2020 designation.
- Dates
- 5 Apr 2025 – 5 Apr 2030
- Approx. fee
- £1,000-£1,100
Upcoming schemes
Selective licensing
upcomingByker Old Town, Allendale Road and Greater High Cross renewal scheme. Designated 24 Feb 2026, in force 1 Oct 2026 (replaces expiring 2021-2026 scheme).
- Dates
- 1 Oct 2026 – 29 Sept 2031
- Approx. fee
- £1,000
- Wards / areas
- Byker, Elswick, Benwell & Scotswood
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in Newcastle upon Tyne 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
Older Byker/High Cross selective schemes are partial-ward; check street boundaries on council maps.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Newcastle upon Tyne?
Newcastle upon Tyne operates 2 selective licensing scheme(s) and 1 additional (HMO) 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 Newcastle upon Tyne?
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.
Does your property need a licence?
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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.