Verified · 1 September 2026
North Yorkshire: landlord licensing, explained and verified
Every English council sets its own additional and selective licensing on top of the national HMO rules. This is the current position in North Yorkshire, verified on 1 September 2026. Check any postcode free in 10 seconds with the licence checker.
Mandatory HMO licensing in North Yorkshire
The national rule applies everywhere in England: a house in multiple occupation with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households must be licensed. In North Yorkshire, the standard licence fee is around £980. Letting a licensable HMO without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine.
Additional licensing in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire currently has no additional licensing scheme on record. Only the national mandatory HMO rules apply to shared houses. Councils can designate new schemes after consultation, so this can change.
Selective licensing in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire runs selective licensing, which covers all privately rented homes in the designated area, regardless of size or occupancy. The scheme runs 01/05/2022 to 30/04/2027, fee from £550. Designated wards: Weaponness and Ramshill. The scheme runs 01/06/2024 to 31/05/2029, fee from £695. Designated wards: Castle, Falsgrave and Stepney, Northstead. A single rented flat or house inside the area needs a licence.
Upcoming licensing changes in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Council is currently consulting on a proposal to renew and expand the selective licensing scheme in the Scarborough South area for a further five years from May 2027. The fees for the Scarborough Town selective licensing scheme "shall be reviewed and increased every year in line with our Fees and Charges Policy." The council states that its "houses in multiple occupation information is currently being updated" for both Scarborough and Ryedale, advising to contact them for any queries.
What getting it wrong costs
Letting an unlicensed property that needed a licence carries civil penalties of up to £30,000 per property (up to £40,000 for some offences under the Renters’ Rights Act), rent repayment orders of up to 24 months of rent. Possession runs through Section 8 since May 2026, and being unlicensed badly weakens a claim while unlicensed. “I didn’t know” is not a defence.
How fresh is this page?
This page was last verified on 1 September 2026, and we keep it current as schemes and fees change. Rules and fees change (most councils revise fees each April), so always confirm with the council directly before applying.
Licensing in other councils
Every English council sets its own schemes. North Tyneside · North Warwickshire · North West Leicestershire · Northumberland · Norwich · Nottingham · or browse all councils A to Z.
Letting in North Yorkshire? Know where every property stands.
SUCASA tracks licensing, gas, EICR, EPC, alarms and deposit protection per property, alerts you before anything expires, and warns you when North Yorkshire changes its rules. Free for your first property.
Check what your properties needFAQ
Do I need an HMO licence in North Yorkshire?
Any HMO with 5+ occupants forming 2+ households needs a mandatory licence. North Yorkshire has no additional licensing scheme on record, so smaller HMOs do not currently need a local licence.
Does North Yorkshire have selective licensing?
Yes. Selective licensing covers all privately rented homes in the designated area, currently running until 30/04/2027. Check whether your property's ward is inside the designation.
How much is an HMO licence in North Yorkshire?
The standard mandatory HMO licence fee in North Yorkshire is around £980. Fees are often multi-part or per-bedroom and usually change each April, so confirm on the council page before applying.
How is this information kept up to date?
This data was last verified on 1 September 2026, and we keep it current as schemes and fees change. Landlords on SUCASA get alerted the moment rules change.
North Yorkshire council licensing pages · gov.uk HMO licensing · All councils A to Z