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Property Licensing Guide for North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire currently operates selective licensing; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 25 August 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 Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in North Yorkshire? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in North Yorkshire and how to apply for a licence.
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 is consulting on changes to selective licensing, and the consultation closes on 12 October 2026. The scheme already in force is set out above and continues to apply while the consultation runs.
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?
You can apply for a licence via North Yorkshire 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 | £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 operates selective licensing (1 May 2022 to 30 April 2027), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in North Yorkshire need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating a property that requires 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 and cannot serve a Section 21 notice. 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 North Yorkshire, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a North Yorkshire property licence?
You can apply through North Yorkshire Council’s website (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.
Why did North Yorkshire introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in North Yorkshire?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire, located in northern England, is part of the historic county of Yorkshire and comprises seven districts: Craven, Hambleton, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Selby, and the boroughs of Harrogate and Scarborough. The county seat is in Northallerton. The geographic county also includes the unitary authorities of Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, York, and part of Stockton-on-Tees south of the River Tees. North Yorkshire features the Pennines in the west, reaching elevations over 2,200 feet, and the North York Moors and Cleveland Hills in the east, with the Vale of York’s lowlands in between. The dramatic escarpment of the Cleveland Hills leads to the North Sea coast and the Tees valley.
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.
