Landlord licensing in Northumberland Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties in England let to five or more people, forming two or more households, who share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.

Additional licensing

Additional licensing can extend licensing requirements to smaller HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing. Designations are set by the council, typically for up to five years, and are usually ward- or street-specific, so verify the position for the exact address.

Selective licensing

Selective licensing schemes require a licence for every private rented home within a designated area, including single-family lets. Landlords must check for current designations and apply for a licence before advertising or letting a property in such an area.

Towns covered

Northumberland

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Northumberland Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs, with designations running for up to five years and often being ward- or street-specific. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Always check the council's own licensing pages for current designations, fees, and boundaries before each new tenancy, as these can change. All landlords must ensure compliance with property standards including gas safety, EICR, EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection, and service of prescribed information and documents, as required by the Renters' Rights Act 2025.