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Property Licensing Guide for Northumberland
Northumberland currently operates selective licensing in 2 wards; 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?
Northumberland 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.
Northumberland Property Licensing Schemes
Selective licensing in Northumberland applies only to the Croft ward area of Blyth. The council’s boundary runs along Hodgsons Road, Waterloo Road and Bridge Street, Regent Street and Renwick Road. Check an address against those streets, or run it through Kamma’s free licence checker.
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 Northumberland property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Northumberland property →What are the licensing requirements for Northumberland?
Mandatory licensing in Northumberland
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Northumberland (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 Northumberland?
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.
Northumberland 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 Northumberland?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Northumberland operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Selective licensing: 14 October 2024 to 13 October 2029, covering Croft Ward.
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 Northumberland Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees: selective licensing in Croft ward costs £650 (£200 Part 1 plus £450 Part 2), or £495 for accredited landlords (£200 plus £295). A late application adds £250, and there is a £25 discount after the third property. A mandatory HMO licence costs £105 per dwelling unit plus 15%, per the council’s HMO licensing policy. See the council’s property licensing page for the fee structure.
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Northumberland Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Northumberland operate?
Northumberland operates selective licensing in the Croft ward area of Blyth (14 October 2024 to 13 October 2029), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. It has no additional HMO licensing scheme.
Do all properties in Northumberland need a licence?
No. Selective licensing in Northumberland applies only to the Croft ward area of Blyth, where most privately rented homes need a licence. Elsewhere in the county, only HMOs of five or more people from more than one household need a mandatory licence.
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 in Northumberland. 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 Northumberland property licences on behalf of landlords, and many manage the full process. The council’s selective licensing application is made online and asks for room sizes, safety equipment, management details, floor plans and gas, electrical and EPC certificates.
How do I apply for a Northumberland property licence?
For selective licensing in Croft ward, apply online through the link on Northumberland Council’s licensing page. For a mandatory HMO licence, the council takes applications by form, sent by post or email. You can also use a managed service such as Kamma.
Why did Northumberland introduce selective licensing?
Northumberland Council introduced selective licensing in the Croft ward area of Blyth after a consultation that began in August 2023. Cabinet approved it on 9 July 2024 and it took effect on 14 October 2024. The council describes its aim as improving standards and management in privately rented homes in the area.
Why did Northumberland introduce additional licensing?
Northumberland does not operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Smaller HMOs fall outside licensing unless a selective licence applies in Croft ward, Blyth. HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household need a mandatory licence.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Northumberland?
Northumberland Council’s mandatory HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. The conditions are published as a PDF on the council website.
About Northumberland
Northumberland is a unitary authority in north-east England. Morpeth is its administrative centre.
Its only selective licensing scheme covers the Croft ward area of Blyth. Council consultation material reported around 1,000 homes in the area, about 550 of them privately rented. Cabinet approved the scheme on 9 July 2024 and it took effect on 14 October 2024. It runs for five years, to 13 October 2029.
Licensing Enforcement in Northumberland
Northumberland Council enforces property licensing under the Housing Act 2004. 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.
On 12 May 2026 the council’s Cabinet adopted a Housing Enforcement Policy, a Civil Penalty Policy, and licence conditions for mandatory HMOs and selective licensing.
On 12 May 2026 the council’s Cabinet adopted a Housing Enforcement Policy, a Civil Penalty Policy, and licence conditions for mandatory HMOs and selective licensing.
