Private landlords and tenants

Selective licensing was approved by cabinet on the 9 July 2024, the official designation can be found below.

To view the official Designation, please click here 

The designation applies to the Croft Ward area of Blyth, bounded by and including Hodgsons Road (B1329) to the north; Waterloo Road/Bridge Street (B1328) to the south; Regent Street (B1329) to the east; and Renwick Road (A193) to the west.

The licensing scheme will come into effect on Monday 14th October 2024 for a period of five years from this date. 

The licensing scheme is now in operation, to apply for a license click here. 

Selective Licensing Exemptions
In some cases, properties maybe exempt from the requirement of Selective licensing.  The following list gives those exemptions:

• The house is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
• A Temporary exemption notice is in force (s.62 or s.86 Housing Act 2004)
• A management order is in force (s.102 or s.113 Housing Act 2004)
• The tenancies or licences are granted by registered social landlords and housing providers.
• The tenancies and licences are subject to a prohibition order whose operation has not been suspended. (s.20/s.21 Housing Act 2004)
• The tenancy is a business tenancy
• Certain premises licensed for alcohol consumption (only on- licences not off licences)
• Certain agricultural tenancies
• Buildings controlled or managed by a Local Housing Authority
• Buildings controlled or managed by Police.
• Buildings controlled or managed by fire brigade
• Buildings controlled or managed by Health Service Body
• Tenancies, licences etc. regulated by other enactments
• Certain University/College accommodation occupied by students
• Where the owner or his relatives occupy a property on a long leasehold
• Where landlord lets to certain relatives
• Holiday Homes
• Where landlord/licensor or his relative lives at the property and shares facilities with a maximum of two lodgers

If you think that your property is exempt from the requirement of licensing, please contact us selectivelicensing@northumberland.gov.uk

Fees
Licence fees will be taken in two parts.

• Part A will be taken upon application and will cover the cost to process and the administration to determine the application. The application fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the application is successful.
• Part B will be taken once the Council has determined to grant a licence and will cover the administration, management, and enforcement of the licensing functions for the scheme. 

You are not obligated to make payment of Part B in advance of Part A, however we are willing to comply with requests for this. Should you proceed with this option and your licence is subsequently refused, you will be entitled to a refund for the Part B payment.

Any Property Licensing Application forms received without payment (or where incorrect or deficient information is supplied) will not constitute a valid application.

Failure by a landlord to pay the part B fee will result in the application being refused and the fee for Part A being retained by the council.

You can find a copy of the fee structure here.
 
Who can apply for a licence and who should be the Proposed Licence Holder?
 
The proposed licence holder will preferably be the owner or if deemed to be more appropriate, a person designated by the owner, e.g. the managing agent. In determining a licence application, the council has a duty to grant a licence to the most appropriate person.
 
This will normally be the owner or manager employed by the owner. At the very least, the council expects the licence holder to have the power to:
 
• let and terminate the tenancies.
• access all parts of the premises to the same extent as the owner; and
• authorise expenditure for emergency repairs. Licenses are non-transferable. Should the licence holder change during the licence period a new licence application and fee will be required.
 
To check if you need to apply for a license, you can view a map of the area and full street list here.

Non-UK licence holders
An application for a property licence with a non-UK based licence holder may only be considered valid if there is a managing agent based in the UK who agrees to be bound by the conditions and obligations imposed by the licence by signing a declaration to confirm this. Each application is individually assessed and acceptance of non-UK based licence holders is at the discretion of the council. Applications from limited companies will only be accepted from companies with a UK registered office (the licence will be in the company name).

Property standards
 
To qualify for a license, you will need to meet the property standards required for the scheme. This is to ensure adequate and safe property conditions along with a good standard of property management. The full property requirements for the scheme can be found here.
 
Management standards
 
As well as property standards, you will need to ensure that the tenancy is well managed, full referencing is carried out and reports of ASB are actioned quickly, we can provide support with this where necessary. You can find the full guidance around property management and expectations here.

Management statement guidance

As part of your application you are required to submit a management statement detailing procedures and processes you have in place. You can find guidance on how to write management statement here, please note, we are unable to offer a template for this as it should be individual to your business. These will be checked as part of the application process.

 
Fit and proper person test
 
To apply for a license, the manager of the tenancy must pass a fit and proper person test. You can see the guidance for this here
 
Discount for PLAN members
 
Northumberland County Council are offering a discount on the license fee to landlords who join the property accreditation scheme prior to selective licensing being implemented. The accreditation process is a voluntary scheme and ensures decent property and management standards along with offering benefits such as free property advertising and tenant finds, as well as the discount on the license fee. For more information to join the scheme please see below.

When you apply - Documents required before making your application 
You will need to have various information relating to the property to hand before completing your application including uploading copies of the relevant certificates; you cannot proceed with your application unless you have provided the required information and documentation:
Photos or scans of documents are acceptable, providing the relevant information is clear.

• A Gas Safety Certificate is required every year for all Gas appliances.
• An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is required every 5 years.  
•  An Energy Performance Certificate is required.

You will also need:

• Room sizes and property facilities
• Property structure and safety equipment details
• Names and addresses of persons and organisations with an interest in the property
• Licence holder's date of birth
• Management statement
• Floor plans
• Planning consent (if required)

We expect all documents and information to be present or a statement from you that a particular document/information either doesn’t exist or is not applicable, details should be given of the reason why this has not been returned (e.g. the lack of a gas safety certificate for a property with no gas supply).
 

Section  1	Address	Current property address
Section 2	Your information	Details of all yourself and/or you organisation information
Section 3	Property interested party information	interested parties such as managing agents, mortgage companies, leaseholders, proposed licence holders and any other relevant parties
Section 4	Property management & Fit and proper declaration	Details of property management arrangements, landlord accreditation confirmation is required if applicable along with details of any unspent convictions
Section 5	Property details	Details regarding the layout/situation of the property.
Section 6	Health & safety	Details of: Fire safety installations Health and safety arrangements Gas Safety Electrical Installation Energy Performance Rating
Section 7	Declaration and signature

Once you have made your application you will have to wait for your application to be processed. This means that you do not automatically have a licence. We must process and approve your application within ten weeks of receiving your application before you are granted a licence.

We will write to the Proposed Licence Holder if we are unable to process your application within our ten-week service standard, with a new time period and the reasons for the delay. If we request further information and you fail to provide this within the timescale set, your license application may be refused.

We will tell you and any other interested parties whether we plan to grant or refuse a licence within ten weeks of receiving your application.

This will be followed by a 21-day consultation period which gives you and all interested parties the chance to ask questions, challenge our decision or make comments.

We will give you the notice that grants or refuses a licence, as well as a copy of the licence at the end of this consultation period.

If you wish to comment on a draft licence or revocation notice or you have not heard from us within our ten-week service standard please email: selectivelicensing@northumberland.gov.uk
​
Licences with a smaller period of time
A licence usually lasts for five years.

We may give you a licence for a smaller period of time if:
 

• We have any worries about the management of the licence or property
• You do not return the application paperwork on time
• You did not respond when we asked you to send additional information or make payment of the licensing fee so we could process your application.

If we plan to reduce the length of your licence, this will be shown clearly on the draft licence we send to you and any other interested parties (such as the manager, owner, mortgage provider, freeholder, leaseholder).

Should you not agree with the shortened term you have the right to appeal before we issue your licence. However, if we have any concerns about the management of the property, or you have been subject to enforcement action, we will issue you a licence with a shortened term.

If you do not licence your property
It is now against the law for any landlord to rent out a property in Croft ward without a licence. We work with Northumbria Police and other agencies across Northumberland to find unlicensed properties and take legal action.
Landlords with unlicensed rented properties can face a financial penalty notice of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine from the court.  You could also have control of your unlicensed properties taken away from you and be ordered to repay up to 12 months' rent to us or your tenants.
 
Service standards
The level of service you will receive when applying for a property licence.
We will:

• Let you know within 14 days that we have received your application and fee as long as it is complete and valid
• Reply to any queries you have about your application within 5 working days
• Write to you within ten weeks if your application is wrong or if we need more information from you
• Write to you within ten weeks if we are unable to progress your application to licence as further investigation or assessment is required in relation to the Proposed Licence Holder, interested party or Property.

Licence decisions – what we will do

• We aim to tell you whether we plan to grant or refuse a licence in writing within ten weeks of receiving your complete and valid application and fee.
• If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, contact us and we will reply within 5 working days. We will always aim to tell any applicants of any delays.

Refusing a licence

• If your licence is unsuccessful, we will write to you to tell you the reasons why your application has been refused. We will then give you 21 days to ask questions, challenge our decision or make comments.

Granting a licence

• Where we plan to issue a licence, we will provide you with a draft copy of the proposed licence and give you a further 21 days (consultation period) to comment or ask questions.
• We will reply to queries regarding your licence or licence conditions within 10 working days.
• If you do not comment on the draft proposed licence, we will send you a final licence 21 days after the end of the consultation period.

The council aims to use private rented property licensing to ensure that all privately rented properties are well managed. Many landlords do this already.

Licensing of private rented accommodation aims to ensure that:

• Anti-social behaviour is dealt with effectively
• Tenants’ health, safety and welfare are safeguarded
•  Landlords are ‘fit and proper persons’ or employ agents who are
• Adequate property and tenancy management arrangements are in place
• Accommodation is suitable for the number of occupiers.
• All landlords and managing agents operate at the same minimum level of professional standards.

In order to administer and enforce licensing during the term of your licence you may be selected for an audit of the conditions contained within your licence.

Enforcement:

Failure to supply the correct and/or false information or documentation may result in the Council taking enforcement action. A person who fails to comply with any of the licence conditions can;

• Be issued with a financial penalty notice of up to £30,000.
• Prosecuted in Court.
• Have the length of your licence reduced from five years to a one year
• Have their Property Licence revoked. .

If a satisfactory response is received, then this action may not be necessary.
If you require any further advice or information please contact us.

Licensing Compliance Inspections

The Council is currently undertaking extensive compliance survey work in order to check that all Licence Holders are continuing to meet the obligations of their Property Licence. 

During the term of your licence you may be selected for a Licensing Compliance inspection.

We intend to visit your property to inspect your accommodation and determine the following:

• Ensure that the information provided in the Property Licence application is correct
• Ensure that the Property Licence conditions are being adhered to
• Help landlords maintain their property and identify any deficiencies that may exist

The Compliance Officer intends to inspect all parts of the property. Occupants will need to ensure that the Council Officer(s) are able to access all parts of the property.   

If we are not able to gain access to your property whilst in the area we will leave contact details for landlord/licence holders or tenants to contact us to arrange a suitable alternative appointment.

The inspection results will be shared with the Licence Holder, properties that have deficiencies or are in poor condition may be subject to re-inspection and/or further audit.

There are problems in many areas where a small minority of rogue landlords neglect their management responsibilities. A number of well-intentioned landlords are not aware of their responsibilities and in some cases absentee landlords may not be aware of problems their tenants are causing. Arrangements must be in place for dealing with general tenancy issues and anti- social behaviour at the property.

Properties must also be suitable for the number of occupants and meet all the relevant health and safety regulations. The council continuously work with and exchange information with other enforcement and regulatory authorities in order to administer and enforce licensing.

If you have a complaint regarding a licensed property where you believe this may be wrongly licensed or have concerns over landlord management resulting in a possible breach in the licence conditions in place you can tell us by emailing: selectivelicensing@northumberland.gov.uk
 

Our Property and Landlord Accreditation scheme - PLAN is based on property inspections, ensures the condition of a private rented property meets certain standards and is managed properly.

What is PLAN? 
 
PLAN – Property and Landlord Accreditation Northumberland - is the new relaunched Private Rented Sector Accreditation Scheme that aims to support landlords who offer good quality housing in Northumberland. The scheme is voluntary, free and recognises the valuable role that the private rented sector plays by delivering good quality, much needed housing to the residents of Northumberland. 
 
What are the benefits of joining PLAN? 

• Single point of contact from the private sector housing team. 

• One-year free membership with the National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA) 

• Free training place on NRLA’s ‘Landlord Fundamentals’ training and access to many other valuable training opportunities, 

• Access to an enhanced tenant vetting service which includes criminal and anti-social behaviour considerations through Northumbria Police. 

• A potential discount on Selective Licensing Fees should a Scheme be declared in Northumberland.  

• Advice and assistance for property and tenancy related issues. 

• Market advantage when attracting new tenants and recognition that they are a good landlord providing a high standard of accommodation. 

• Four weeks free advertising for accredited properties on Northumberland Homefinder, Northumberland County Council’s allocation service for housing. 

• Recognition that they are a good landlord providing a high standard of accommodation. 

• Up-to-date information on regeneration/ improvement schemes and initiatives in Northumberland including energy efficiency grants. 

• Positive publicity for their business use – PLAN members are provided with a membership certificate and stickers to display and increase public awareness of the scheme. 

• Briefing sessions and regular newsletters to update on relevant issue. 

The three main stages of the PLAN application are: 
 
Stage 1 - Review of application form and completion of a Fit and Proper Person Check   
Stage 2 - Inspection of property  
Stage 3 - Advertising, finding a tenant and referencing 
 
Please find our PLAN information leaflet and policy document below. 
 
Click here for our PLAN 2022 leaflet 

Click here for our PLAN 2022 Policy Document 
 
How do I join PLAN? 
 
To join PLAN a Private Sector Housing Officer will need to carry out an inspection of the property. Before the inspection, copies of the following certificates must be provided: 

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) 

• Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) 

To apply online please click Property and Landlord accreditation form and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly.   

If you have any queries about PLAN, please 
 
Email: PrivateSectorHousing@northumberland.gov.uk  
  
Phone: 0345 600 6400 and ask for a member of the private sector housing team.  

We offer advice and support on bringing your empty property back to use.

Please follow the link below and read the guidance to help you avoid any potential safety or enforcement problems in your private rented property.

Please follow the link below and read the guidance to help you avoid any potential safety or enforcement problems in your private rented property. 
 
The Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is often used by local authorities. 
 
This guidance is aimed at non-specialists, in particular private landlords, to help them understand the requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHRSS and help them identify the type of work that is needed on their properties to conform with the HHSRS.  
 
Click this link for HHSRS Guidance for Private Landlords. 

This scheme provides landlords with a free reference-checking service with a view to making the tenancy more sustainable and avoiding issues of anti-social behaviour and non-payment of rent.

Tenants wishing to use the scheme will need to read, complete and sign the following: 

• Application and consent form 

Or you can apply online via this link: 

• Online application form 

Landlords wishing to use the scheme to reference check tenants, will need to ensure their property is properly accredited before they can access the scheme. 
 
For full details, please see the following documents: 

• Tenant accreditation guidance for landlords 

• Tenant accreditation guidance for tenant 

•  

This scheme is available to help people find suitable, affordable accommodation by providing a bond guarantee in the private rented sector.

It is also available to tenants who are unable to raise the funds from another source, providing the property identified is already accredited through the council’s private rented sector accreditation scheme. 
 
Applicants will be required to save the sum of the guaranteed bond with Northumberland Community Bank. 
 
Moreover, the landlord will be given a paper guarantee that can be claimed upon the end of the initial tenancy period if there has been damage or rent arrears. 
 
For more information, please email private sector housing or phone 0345 600 6400, or to apply, please see documents below. 

 

• Application form 

• RDGS Landlord guide 

• RDGS Tenants guide 

Opportunities for private sector landlords to share information and good practice

Our Annual Countywide and Local Landlord forums are a great opportunity to share information and ideas and to promote the views of the private landlords contributing to the improvement of the county's housing. There will be the opportunity to network with other landlords, as well as officers from Northumberland County Council.  
 
Annual Countywide Forum 2024 - Thursday 10th October 2024, 9am at Blyth Town Football Club


Local Landlord Development Forum
Monday 20th May 2024, 5-7pm, at Blyth Civic Centre. Doors open at 4.30pm for 5pm start. There will be a light buffet followed by a presentation from Victoria Valentine (Landlord Action) regarding Evictions and an update from Bruce Haagensen (GB Landlords). There will also be time at the end of the presentations to network with other landlords and officers from the private sector team.

If you would like to talk to us about our forums, please call 0345 600 6400 and ask for a member of the Private Sector Housing Team or email: privatesectorhousing@northumberland.gov.uk. 

Information for private landlords, agents and tenants

Privacy notice for Landlord and Agents 

We have a legal duty to keep and process information about you in accordance with the law. If you are a private landlord or agent and want to know why we ask for your personal information, how that information will be used and how you can access your records you can read our privacy notice 
 

What is the right to rent? 

People who are allowed to be in the UK have a right to rent. People who are not allowed to be here do not have a right to rent. 
 
To find out more about your role and responsibilities as a landlord, agent or a householder who is letting private rented accommodation, or taking in a lodger you can download a copy of  A short guide on right to rent 
 
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is the UK’s largest association for private-residential landlords. They work with full-time landlords with large property portfolios to those with just a single letting. Cllick here to view their website  
 
 
Information for tenants 
If you are a tenant in privately rented property you have certain rights and responsibilities. Further information can be accessed via either the Shelter or Gov.uk websites.