Website and telephone payments Sunday 19 May
Our website and telephone payment systems are unavailable between 9am and 2pm on Sunday 19 May. You will not be able to pay for any council services on our website or over the phone during this time.
The fees are for the whole period of the Selective Licensing designation, which is for 5 years from June 1 2019 to 31 May 2024. Fees are based on the running cost and management of the overall scheme. There is a range of fees, which differ for single and multiple-unit properties. There are also a range of discounts and penalties which relate to certain circumstances.
There are three scenarios, depending on the type of building and ownership. They are:
- Single unit properties. This is for dwellings, which are a single unit, which could be a house, a self-contained flat or non-self non-self-contained flat. The standard fee of £550 applies in this case and this requires only one licence.
- 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 licence fee will be the standard fee of £550 for the first flats plus £100 for each extra flat within the same building. So if a landlord with the freehold owns 4 flats in the block, then the total licence fee will be £850 (£550 for the first flat and £300 for the other 3 flats). Where applicable discounts will be applied to the total cost of the licence (see below).
- 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 the standard fee of £550, whilst 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 3 flats in the block, then they will pay a sum of £750 (£550 for the first licence and £100 each for the other 2 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.
Standard fees
| Property type | Standard fee |
|---|---|
| Single occupancy household
For each dwelling which is occupied by a single household, for example, a house, self-contained flat or non-self-contained flat |
£550 |
| Buildings containing flats where the landlord owns the freehold
Single licence will be issued covering all of the flats within the control of the landlord |
£550 for the first flat and then £100 for each additional flat within the same building |
| Buildings containing flats where the landlord owns more than one flat in a building without owning the freehold
As the landlord does not own the freehold, then each flat will require an additional licence |
£550 for the first flat and then £100 for each additional flat within the same building |
Discounts
| Discount type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Membership of selected organisation discount
Discount applies to members of the following organisations:
|
£50 |
| Early bird discount
Applies to all licence applications received and fully completed with all requested documentation by 31 May 2019 (commencement of the schedule) |
£50 |
| Multiple applications
Applies to each licence application after the initial licence application (does not apply to multiple licences in a block of flats where the landlord does not own the freehold of the block as a reduced fee of £100 already applies to these licences) |
Penalties
| Penalty | Amount |
|---|---|
| Finders fee
Where the landlord has not applied to licence their property by 31 August 2019 (three months after commencement of the scheme). Landlords may also be subject to prosecution by the council. |
£100 |
Notes
- The council can only issue a single building 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 must require 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.
- An applicant will not be entitled to discounts where a penalty fee has been applied.
- Payments must be made in full with the application for a licence.
- 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 prior to the council undertaking an inspection of the licence. Please note that the council 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.