Do I need a selective licence in Durham?

If your property is privately rented and sits inside one of Durham's designated areas, yes — regardless of its size or how many tenants live there. Selective licensing applies to ordinary single-family lets, not just HMOs. Check your exact address against the council's designation map, because these schemes are usually drawn to named wards or streets rather than the whole borough.

Which selective licensing schemes are active in Durham?

Durham has one selective scheme on our register: Selective Licensing Scheme — 103 designated areas, 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027 (from 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2027). Each covers a defined area — follow the council links above for the current boundary and application route.

What happens if I let an unlicensed property in Durham?

It is an offence under section 95(1) of the Housing Act 2004. Durham County Council can prosecute or impose a civil penalty instead — the maximum rose to £40,000 on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, with government guidance suggesting a starting point around £12,000 before aggravating factors. Your tenants or the council can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent.

Does a selective licence replace an HMO licence in Durham?

No. They are separate regimes. If your Durham property meets the HMO test it needs an HMO licence under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004; a property already licensed as an HMO is normally exempt from the selective scheme rather than needing both. If you are unsure which applies, check the HMO position first.

Where do I apply for a selective licence in Durham?

Applications are handled by Durham County Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current fees, conditions and application form.

Durham selective licensing

Selective licensing in Durham

Durham runs 1 selective licensing scheme on our register. Inside a designated area every privately rented home needs a licence — including an ordinary house or flat let to a single family, with no HMO involved.

Which licence do you need in Durham?

England runs three separate regimes. More than one can apply to the same property.

Mandatory HMO licence5 or more occupants from 2+ households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toiletApplies everywhere in England · See HMO licensing in Durham
Additional HMO licensingSmaller HMOs the national rules miss — council-designatedNot in force in Durham
Selective licensingExplained on this pageANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsIn force in Durham

Durham has an open consultation on property licensing — the position above may change if a new scheme is confirmed.

Durham schemes on our register

Sourced from Durham County Council announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 15 October 2026. Always verify the boundary and fees directly with the council before applying.

SelectiveEffective: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2027

Selective Licensing Scheme — 103 designated areas, 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027

Selective licensing applies to privately rented homes in 103 designated areas of County Durham from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027. The council has consulted on renewing and revising the scheme beyond March 2027.

Read the council's announcement →

How selective licensing works (Housing Act 2004, Part 3)

Selective licensing is not about HMOs. A council designates an area — sometimes a few streets, sometimes the whole borough — and from the start date every privately rented home in it needs a licence, including an ordinary house or flat let to a single family. That is the part landlords miss: you can be perfectly outside every HMO rule and still be committing an offence.

A designation lasts a maximum of 5 years, then lapses unless the council consults and designates again.
Councils must consult for at least 10 weeks before designating, which is why schemes are usually visible months ahead of their start date.
A scheme covering more than 20% of the area or more than 20% of its privately rented homes needs the Secretary of State's confirmation. Below that threshold the council can designate on its own authority under the general approval — which is why borough-wide schemes take longer to appear.
Grounds for designating include low housing demand, significant anti-social behaviour, poor property conditions, high migration, high deprivation or high crime.

What happens if you don't license

Letting a licensable property without a licence is an offence under section 95(1) of the Housing Act 2004. Councils can prosecute, or impose a civil penalty instead. Since 1 May 2026 the maximum civil penalty is £40,000 (raised from £30,000 by the Renters' Rights Act 2025), with government guidance suggesting a starting point around £12,000 for an unlicensed selectively licensed property before aggravating factors. A Rent Repayment Order can additionally require you to repay up to 2 years' rent.

Note that licensing is enforced independently of the tenancy regime. Since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 there is no longer a “you can't serve a section 21” consequence — but the financial penalties above are larger than they were, not smaller.

Common exemptions include properties already licensed as HMOs under Part 2, lettings by registered providers of social housing, and certain tenancies granted to family members. Always check the council's own scheme conditions.

Selective licensing in Durham — FAQ

Do I need a selective licence in Durham?: If your property is privately rented and sits inside one of Durham's designated areas, yes — regardless of its size or how many tenants live there. Selective licensing applies to ordinary single-family lets, not just HMOs. Check your exact address against the council's designation map, because these schemes are usually drawn to named wards or streets rather than the whole borough.
Which selective licensing schemes are active in Durham?: Durham has one selective scheme on our register: Selective Licensing Scheme — 103 designated areas, 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027 (from 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2027). Each covers a defined area — follow the council links above for the current boundary and application route.
What happens if I let an unlicensed property in Durham?: It is an offence under section 95(1) of the Housing Act 2004. Durham County Council can prosecute or impose a civil penalty instead — the maximum rose to £40,000 on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, with government guidance suggesting a starting point around £12,000 before aggravating factors. Your tenants or the council can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent.
Does a selective licence replace an HMO licence in Durham?: No. They are separate regimes. If your Durham property meets the HMO test it needs an HMO licence under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004; a property already licensed as an HMO is normally exempt from the selective scheme rather than needing both. If you are unsure which applies, check the HMO position first.
Where do I apply for a selective licence in Durham?: Applications are handled by Durham County Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current fees, conditions and application form.

Not sure whether your property is also an HMO?

If it houses sharers from more than one household, the HMO rules may bite on top of the selective scheme. Run the free HMO checker — no account needed.

Referencing tenants for your Durham rental?

Licensed areas come with management conditions, and councils look hardest at landlords with problem tenancies. Start with RentFig's free tenant referencing form — no account needed — then add a credit check from £9 per tenant.

Track your Durham licence renewal

Selective licences run for a fixed term and expire quietly. RentFig tracks licence renewals alongside gas safety, EICR, EPC and right-to-rent checks, with email reminders and a full audit trail. Free plan for up to 2 tenancies.

Start free See features

Selective licensing in other councils

View every council we track →

Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Durham schemes and Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. It is not legal advice. Designation boundaries and fees change — always confirm the current position with Durham County Council before letting or applying for a licence.