Landlord licensing in Middlesbrough Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to Houses in Multiple Occupation occupied by five or more persons forming two or more households, who share amenities such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Additional licensing

Middlesbrough Council operates an additional licensing scheme across the entire borough, covering HMOs with three or four tenants forming two or more households.

Selective licensing

Selective licensing schemes are in operation across a number of wards within Middlesbrough, including North Ormesby and parts of Newport and Ayresome. Landlords renting out single-family properties or smaller HMOs in these designated areas must obtain a licence.

Typical fees

Mandatory HMO licence fees are approximately £1000 per application. Additional HMO and selective licence fees may vary but are generally in a similar range. Specific fees should be confirmed directly with the council.

Towns covered

Middlesbrough

What this means for you

In England, landlords must be aware of their obligations under the Housing Act 2004, which mandates licensing for certain types of properties, and the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which strengthens tenants' rights and aims to improve housing standards. Key changes from 2026 include the abolition of 'no-fault' evictions (Section 21), new requirements for landlords to join a mandatory national register, and strengthened enforcement powers for local authorities regarding property standards. Middlesbrough Council expects landlords to comply with all relevant housing legislation, including property safety, tenancy deposit protection, and energy efficiency regulations. Landlords should also ensure all properties meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website