Newcastle City Council states that it has three types of property licensing: selective licensing, mandatory HMO licensing and additional licensing. On the mandatory type it says the requirement "applies to all HMO's having five or more occupants living in two or more households who share facilities i.e. kitchen, bathroom" and that this "is a requirement throughout England". On selective licensing it states that "There are eight selective licensing areas are designated in the city" and that "All private rented properties within a selective licensing area require a licence unless otherwise exempt".
Two of those areas, Byker Old Town and Greater High Cross, commenced in October 2021 and that scheme is due to end in October 2026, with a new scheme covering Byker and High Cross starting on 1 October 2026. From April 2025 a further scheme covers Cowgate, West End Terraces, Howdene Road, part of Howlett Hall Road, Ravenburn Gardens and part of Swinley Gardens in Benwell, Lemington, Denton Court and Columbia Grange.
The deposit rule comes from GOV.UK and applies across England. A deposit must go into a government approved protection scheme where the home is rented on an assured periodic tenancy, and assured periodic tenancies replaced assured shorthold tenancies on 1 May 2026. GOV.UK states that the landlord or the letting agent must put the deposit in the scheme within 30 days of getting it, names the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme as the three schemes for England and Wales, and states that the agreed amount is returned within 10 days of both sides agreeing it, with a disputed deposit held in the scheme until it is settled.
We would link landlords and agents to the council's property licence areas page and the dates on each designation. Your page would set out the communal areas included, the room by room checklist, the access arrangements, completion photographs and your return visit policy.