What licensing schemes does Middlesbrough operate?

Middlesbrough operates two selective licensing schemes in Newport ward: Newport 2 (3 July 2023 to 2 July 2028) and Newport 1 (23 July 2024 to 22 July 2029). The national mandatory HMO scheme has applied since 2006. The North Ormesby selective scheme ended on 13 June 2026.

Do all properties in Middlesbrough need a licence?

Not every property in Middlesbrough needs a licence. In Newport ward, most privately rented homes need a selective licence under Newport 1 or Newport 2. Across Middlesbrough, an HMO occupied by five or more people forming more than one household needs a mandatory HMO licence. Middlesbrough has no additional HMO licensing scheme.

What if my property doesn't have a licence?

Operating a licensable property in Middlesbrough without a licence 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 Middlesbrough licences on behalf of landlords, including selective licences in Newport ward and mandatory HMO licences. Many agents manage the full process.

How do I apply for a Middlesbrough property licence?

You can apply through Middlesbrough Council's website ( licensing pages ), or use a managed service such as Kamma.

Why did Middlesbrough introduce selective licensing?

Selective licensing in Middlesbrough applies to Newport ward under the Newport 1 and Newport 2 schemes. Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.

Why did Middlesbrough introduce additional licensing?

Middlesbrough has not introduced additional HMO licensing. Larger HMOs of five or more people are covered by the national mandatory scheme, and Newport ward is covered by selective licensing.

What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Middlesbrough?

The council's HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management in Middlesbrough ( HMO licensing guide ).

SELECTIVE LICENSING · LIVE

Middlesbrough Property Licensing: Do You Need a Licence?

Middlesbrough operates selective licensing in Newport ward alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. Most privately rented homes in that ward need a licence.

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Map of property licensing by ward in Middlesbrough. Selective licensing in Newport applies now. The remaining wards have mandatory HMO licensing only, which applies nationally to larger shared homes.

Selective licensing now

Mandatory HMO licensing only (national scheme)

Part of ward only

Street-level scheme; shading approximate

Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough currently operates selective licensing in 1 ward; 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?

Middlesbrough is in the North East registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 June 2027: see when landlords in the North East have to register on the PRS database.

Middlesbrough Property Licensing Schemes

To check whether a Middlesbrough property is licensed, use the checker on this page and confirm against the council’s selective licensing page. Newport ward holds two selective schemes, Newport 1 and Newport 2, with different end dates.

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

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What are the licensing requirements for Middlesbrough?

Mandatory licensing in Middlesbrough

Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Middlesbrough (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 Middlesbrough?

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.

Middlesbrough 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 Middlesbrough?

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

Middlesbrough operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.

Selective licensing: 3 July 2023 to 2 July 2028, covering Newport.
Selective licensing: 23 July 2024 to 22 July 2029, covering Newport.
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 Middlesbrough Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.

How much does a licence cost?

Licence fees: see Middlesbrough Council’s property licensing fees page for current selective, additional and mandatory HMO fees.

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2 licensing schemes. Know exactly what you need.

Middlesbrough's licensing schemes are set out below. Check any Middlesbrough address against them.

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Middlesbrough Property Licensing FAQs

What licensing schemes does Middlesbrough operate?
Middlesbrough operates two selective licensing schemes in Newport ward: Newport 2 (3 July 2023 to 2 July 2028) and Newport 1 (23 July 2024 to 22 July 2029). The national mandatory HMO scheme has applied since 2006. The North Ormesby selective scheme ended on 13 June 2026.
Do all properties in Middlesbrough need a licence?
Not every property in Middlesbrough needs a licence. In Newport ward, most privately rented homes need a selective licence under Newport 1 or Newport 2. Across Middlesbrough, an HMO occupied by five or more people forming more than one household needs a mandatory HMO licence. Middlesbrough has no additional HMO licensing scheme.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating a licensable property in Middlesbrough without a licence 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 Middlesbrough licences on behalf of landlords, including selective licences in Newport ward and mandatory HMO licences. Many agents manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Middlesbrough property licence?
You can apply through Middlesbrough Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
Why did Middlesbrough introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing in Middlesbrough applies to Newport ward under the Newport 1 and Newport 2 schemes. Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Middlesbrough introduce additional licensing?
Middlesbrough has not introduced additional HMO licensing. Larger HMOs of five or more people are covered by the national mandatory scheme, and Newport ward is covered by selective licensing.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Middlesbrough?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management in Middlesbrough (HMO licensing guide).

About Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough, located in North Yorkshire, northeastern England, lies on the south bank of the River Tees, 7 miles from the North Sea. Founded in 1830 with the expansion of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, it quickly became a coal-exporting hub. The discovery of ironstone in 1850 further spurred its growth, attracting blast furnaces and ironworks.

Though primary metallurgy has moved, Middlesbrough retains significant heavy engineering and a functioning port. It has diversified into industries like electronics and has grown into the commercial and cultural heart of Teesside. The town covers 21 square miles and had a population of 138,412 in 2011.

Licensing Enforcement in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough Council’s private sector housing team enforces property licensing, including the Newport 1 and Newport 2 selective schemes and mandatory HMO licensing. 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.