Licensing Penalties for North Yorkshire Landlords and Agents
Property Licensing Guide for North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire currently operates selective licensing; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 20 October 2026.
This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
North Yorkshire is in the Yorkshire and the Humber registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 April 2027: see what the PRS database means for landlords and agents in Yorkshire and the Humber.
North Yorkshire Property Licensing Schemes
North Yorkshire Council licenses privately rented homes in two parts of Scarborough. Scarborough South (part of Weaponness and Ramshill ward) costs £550 in two payments of £180 and £370. Scarborough Town costs £695 in two payments of £180 and £515. A consultation ran from 3 August to 12 October 2026 on renewing Scarborough South from 1 May 2027 and adding Valley Road and Esplanade Gardens. The council has not yet announced a decision.
Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.
Not sure whether a North Yorkshire property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a North Yorkshire property →What are the licensing requirements for North Yorkshire?
Mandatory licensing in North Yorkshire
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across North Yorkshire (and all of England) to larger HMOs. These are properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in North Yorkshire?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed. That means a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
North Yorkshire does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme; larger HMOs are covered by the national mandatory HMO scheme.
Do I need a selective licence in North Yorkshire?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
North Yorkshire operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
North Yorkshire ran a consultation on selective licensing, which closed on 12 October 2026. The scheme set out above is unchanged by it.
Selective licensing: 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2027, covering Weaponness & Ramshill.
Selective licensing: 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2029, covering Castle, Falsgrave & Stepney and Northstead.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
Apply online through North Yorkshire Council: Scarborough Town applications or Scarborough South applications. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence | £695 per property |
Fees as published by the council, verified 20 July 2026; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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North Yorkshire Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does North Yorkshire operate?
North Yorkshire Council operates two selective licensing schemes in Scarborough: Scarborough South (1 May 2022 to 30 April 2027) and Scarborough Town (1 June 2024 to 31 May 2029). Mandatory HMO licensing applies across North Yorkshire.
Do all properties in North Yorkshire need a licence?
Not all North Yorkshire properties need a licence. Selective licensing covers privately rented homes only in the Scarborough South and Scarborough Town areas. Elsewhere in North Yorkshire only HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household need a licence. North Yorkshire has no additional HMO scheme.What if my property doesn't have a licence?
In North Yorkshire, operating a property that needs a licence without one can bring a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per property for offences on or after 1 May 2026. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Letting agents can apply for a property licence on a landlord’s behalf in North Yorkshire. Both Scarborough selective schemes take applications through the council’s online portal.
How do I apply for a North Yorkshire property licence?
To apply for a selective licence in Scarborough, use North Yorkshire Council’s online application on the scheme page (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
Why did North Yorkshire introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Does North Yorkshire have additional HMO licensing?
North Yorkshire Council does not operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household need a mandatory licence under the national scheme. Smaller HMOs do not need a council licence in North Yorkshire.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in North Yorkshire?
North Yorkshire Council sets HMO licence conditions for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. See the council’s HMO licensing pages for the conditions in each area.
About North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Council has been a single unitary authority since April 2023. It administers HMO licensing through the seven former district areas of Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby. Both selective schemes are in Scarborough. Scarborough South covers part of Weaponness and Ramshill ward. Scarborough Town covers parts of Castle, Falsgrave and Stepney and Northstead. The earlier Scarborough Central scheme ended on 31 May 2024.
Licensing Enforcement in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
