Do all properties in County Durham need a licence?

It depends on the property. Selective licensing in County Durham (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027) requires privately rented homes in designated areas to hold a licence. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to HMOs of five or more people from two or more households. County Durham has no additional licensing scheme.

What if my property doesn't have a licence?

Operating a County Durham property that needs a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. 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?

Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in County Durham, and many manage the full process for them.

How do I apply for a County Durham property licence?

You apply through County Durham Council's website ( selective licensing pages ), or use a managed service such as Kamma. A selective licence costs £585 per property.

Why did County Durham introduce selective licensing?

County Durham Council introduced selective licensing on 1 April 2022. The statutory aims of selective licensing are to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector. The scheme runs to 31 March 2027.

Does County Durham operate additional HMO licensing?

No. County Durham Council does not operate an additional HMO licensing scheme as at 20 October 2026. HMOs of five or more people from two or more households need a mandatory licence.

What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in County Durham?

The council's standards for shared houses set requirements for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management for HMO licences in County Durham ( standards for shared houses ).

SELECTIVE LICENSING · LIVE

County Durham Property Licensing: Do You Need a Licence?

County Durham Council operates selective licensing in designated areas alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. It consulted on a replacement scheme until 12 August 2026.

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Map of property licensing by ward in County Durham. No selective or additional licensing scheme applies now. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across the council area, as it does nationally to larger shared homes.

Mandatory HMO licensing only (national scheme)

County Durham Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement

Councils are using data to identify unlicensed properties, and agents who manage them can be fined in their own right

Up to £40k fine per unlicensed property

Rent Repayment Orders up to 24 months

£7,800 average fine for letting agents

Most enforcement activity happens within the first 3–6 months of scheme launch.

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Property Licensing Guide for County Durham

County Durham 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?

County Durham is in the North East registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 June 2027: see how the North East registration window affects letting agents.

County Durham Property Licensing Schemes

County Durham Council charges £585 for a selective licence, paid as £200 on application and £385 when the draft licence is issued. A holder of a County Durham selective licence on 1 April 2025 pays £435 for each extra property if they apply within 12 weeks of it becoming licensable.

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 Durham property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.

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What are the licensing requirements for County Durham?

Mandatory licensing in County Durham

Mandatory HMO licensing applies across County Durham (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 County Durham?

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.

County Durham 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 County Durham?

Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.

County Durham operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.

County Durham ran a consultation on selective licensing, which closed on 12 August 2026. The scheme set out above is unchanged by it.

Selective licensing: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027, covering 36 wards.
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?

You can apply for a licence via County Durham Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.

How much does a licence cost?

Licence fees

Licence	Fee
Selective licence	£585 (New application (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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County Durham's licensing schemes are set out below. Check any County Durham address against them.

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County Durham Property Licensing FAQs

What licensing schemes does County Durham operate?
County Durham Council operates selective licensing (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. It consulted on a replacement scheme until 12 August 2026, and its licensing page lists no replacement designation as at 20 October 2026.
Do all properties in County Durham need a licence?
It depends on the property. Selective licensing in County Durham (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027) requires privately rented homes in designated areas to hold a licence. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to HMOs of five or more people from two or more households. County Durham has no additional licensing scheme.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating a County Durham property that needs a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. 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?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in County Durham, and many manage the full process for them.
How do I apply for a County Durham property licence?
You apply through County Durham Council’s website (selective licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma. A selective licence costs £585 per property.
Why did County Durham introduce selective licensing?
County Durham Council introduced selective licensing on 1 April 2022. The statutory aims of selective licensing are to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector. The scheme runs to 31 March 2027.
Does County Durham operate additional HMO licensing?
No. County Durham Council does not operate an additional HMO licensing scheme as at 20 October 2026. HMOs of five or more people from two or more households need a mandatory licence.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in County Durham?
The council’s standards for shared houses set requirements for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management for HMO licences in County Durham (standards for shared houses).

About County Durham

County Durham is a historic county in North East England known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and a mix of vibrant towns and rural villages. The county is home to the iconic Durham Cathedral and Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a number of former coal mining communities that have shaped its industrial legacy. Today, County Durham offers a diverse economy with growing sectors in education, health, and tourism. The region is characterized by rolling hills, scenic river valleys, and picturesque market towns, making it a popular destination for both residents and visitors seeking a blend of history, nature, and modern amenities.

Licensing Enforcement in County Durham

County Durham 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.