Newcastle City Council

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Selective Licensing

The Housing Act 2004 provided councils with the power to introduce licensing of privately rented properties in selected areas. This is with the aim of improving conditions for local tenants and the surrounding community. In order to introduce Selective Licensing, the council has to demonstrate one of the following criteria within the designated area:

1. That the area is, or is likely to become, an area of low housing demand and that making the designation will, when combined with other measures taken in the area by the council, contribute to the improvement of the social or economic conditions in the area; or
2. That the area is experiencing a significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour and some or all of the private sector landlords which have premises in the area are failing to take appropriate action to combat the problem and that making the designation will, when combined with other measures taken by the local authority, lead to a reduction in or elimination of the problem.

Selective Licensing requires that within a designated area all private rented properties are licensed. Certain standards and conditions are required to be met in order for a licence to be granted. Failure to meet such conditions and standards may result in prosecution and/or the making of a management order by the council which will transfer the management of the property to the council.

It will be a criminal offence to let a property in a Selective Licensing area from the 6th September 2010 without applying for a licence. Upon conviction this may result in a fine of up to £20,000. For any period where an unlicensed property is being privately rented, an application can be made to the Residential Property Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order for up to 12 months rent.

Application Forms

• Selective Licensing Application Form

Guide Documents

• A Guide for Landlords and Managing Agents on Selective Licensing
• A quick guide for Selective Licensing (Leaflet)
• A quick guide for Landlords
• A quick guide for Tenants
• A Quick guide to the Housing Act 2004 Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• Good Practice tips for Licensed Landlords to help you reduce and resolve Anti Social Behaviour

Contact us

Should you need to contact the Selective Licensing Team as a Landlord or Managing Agent:

Email: selectivelicensing@newcastle.gov.uk

Phone 0191 2116102

If you live in the Selective Licensing area and wish to complain about any issues in your property or problems with your Landlord:

Email: rspp@newcastle.gov.uk

Phone 0191 2116102

Other Relevant Pages

Safety of Goods in Rented Accommodation

Page last updated: 16 August, 2011