Selective licensing in Scarborough South

Fees

The fees are for the whole period of the selective licensing scheme designation, which is from now until 30 April 2027. Fees are based on the running costs and management of the overall scheme. There are a range of fees, which differ for single and multiple unit properties. There are also discounts and penalties.

The licence fee is split into two payments.

The first payment is paid when the application is submitted to us and covers the cost of determining the licence and is non-refundable if the application isn’t successful or you withdraw. This is a fixed amount of £180 and will apply to all licence types, no matter what the size of the property is or whether it is subject to a discount.

The second payment is payable on your successful application but before the licence is issued - from when the draft licence is issued. The second payment is based on the type of property to be licensed and whether any discounts apply. The full licence will not be issued until the second payment is made. 

There are three types of fees, depending on the type of building and ownership:

1. Single unit properties – these are dwellings which are single unit properties, which could be a house, or a self-contained flat or non-self contained flat. The standard fee of £550 applies and this requires only one licence. After your initial payment of £180 a final payment of £370 is needed, making a total fee of £550.
2. Multiple unit properties where the landlord controls the freehold: Where the landlord has the freehold of a block of flats a single licence will be issued for all the flats owned by the landlord plus the common parts of the building. The standard fee of £550 applies for the first flats plus £100 for each extra flat within the same building. So, if a landlord with the freehold owns four flats in the block, then the total licence fee will be £850 (£550 for the first flat and £300 for the other three flats). Where they apply discounts will be applied to the total cost of the licence. After your initial payment of £180 a final payment of £370 is needed, plus £100 for each additional flat within the same building.
3. Multiple unit properties where the landlord does not control the freehold:  Where the landlord owns multiple flats within a building but does not own the freehold, then each flat will require a separate licence. The licence fee for the first flat will be £550, and the licence fee for any extra flats in the block will be £100 for each extra flat. So, if a landlord who does not own the freehold owns three flats in the block, then they will pay a sum of £750 (£550 for the first licence and £100 each for the other two licences). Discounts will only be applied to the total cost of the flats to be licensed in the block and will not apply to each individual flat in the block, as the licence fee for the extra flats has already been substantially reduced. After your initial payment of £180 a final payment of £370 is needed, plus £100 for each additional flat within the same building.

The council can only issue a single buildings licence when the landlord is in control of the whole building. Where a landlord owns more than one flat, but is not in control of the freehold, the council cannot issue a single licence for the whole building and requires individual licence applications for each flat.

Where applicable, all discounts can apply to the same licence application. In the case of multiple flats within the same building where the landlord is not the freeholder, the discount will only apply to the initial application.

Refunds are not normally granted should the licence be revoked or refused for any reason during the course of the licensing period. The only circumstances in which we would consider the refund of part of the licence fee is if the licence is revoked or refused before the council carries out an inspection of the licence. We will still charge for the processing and issuing of the licence and any other costs incurred up to the point that the licence is revoked or refused.

Licensing conditions

You can find the range of licensing conditions for the selective licensing scheme here.

Refusal of licence application

We can refuse your licence application if we decide you are not a fit and proper person or if the property does not meet the licensing conditions. Your licence application may also be refused if there is no reasonable prospect of an alternative licence holder being appointed, or of the property being brought up to the required standards within an acceptable time period.

Appeals

You may appeal if we decide to:

• refuse a licence
• grant a licence with conditions
• revoke a licence
• vary a licence
• refuse to vary a licence

You must appeal to the residential property tribunal within 28 days. You can find more information on the housing tribunals section of the Government website.

Penalties

It is an offence if the landlord or person in control of the property:

• fails to apply for a licence for a licensable property
• allows a property to be occupied by more people than is permitted under the licence

An unlimited fine may be imposed.  In addition, breaking any of the licence conditions can result in fines of up to £5,000 per offence.