Newcastle landlords, since the 1st of October 2026 the council has operated a renewed selective licensing designation covering two areas, Byker Old Town and Greater High Cross. The decision was made on the 24th of February 2026 and the scheme will run until the end of September 2031.
This designation does not work by ward. It works by street, and on many streets by house number. That is the part people get wrong.
What Is Changing in Newcastle?
The designation covers two areas, each defined by a list of streets. In many cases only part of a street is included, down to specific house numbers.
So two properties on the same road can have two different answers.
Which Properties Are Affected?
Part 1, Greater High Cross Area: Adelaide Terrace (41 to 133 odds), Alford Lane, Angel View, Armstrong Road (2 to 66 evens and 304 to 342 evens), Atherton Drive including Manisty House, Atkinson Road, Benwell Close, Benwell Grange Avenue, Benwell Grange Road, Benwell Grange Terrace, Benwell Lane (3, The Vicarage), Bilbrough Gardens, Bishops Road, Caroline Court, Clara Street, Egerton Street, Elswick Road (337 to 387 odds), Ethel Street, Gerald Street, Hodgin Park Crescent, Hodgkin Park Road, Hugh Gardens, Joan Street, Lawson Terrace, Macdonald Road, Maria Street, Provost Gardens, Saint James Crescent, Saint Johns Road (75 to 117 odds), South Benwell Road (45, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 and 100), Wishart House.
Part 2, Byker Area: Ada Street, Alfred Street, Allendale Road (31 to 189 odds), Benson Road, Birds Nest Road (1 to 7 odds), Blount Street (15 and 17), Bothal Street (13 to 83 odds), Brook Street (70 to 74 odds and 71 to 76 odds, as printed in the designation), Canterbury Street, Chatsworth Gardens, Cleadon Street, Cresswell Street, Cullercoats Street, Dunmorlie Street, Emily Street, Gillies Street, Grace Street, Harriet Street, Irthing Avenue, Manor House Close (2 to 8 evens and 1 to 9 odds), Morton Street, Relton Avenue, Renwick Street, Roman Avenue (98 to 152 evens), Scarbrough Court, Scarborough Road, Tunstall Avenue (1 to 59 odds and 2 to 60 evens), Welbeck Road (9 to 337 odds and 408 to 474 evens).
Being on the right street does not mean a property is covered. Check the full address, including the number, against the list.
The Fees
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| --- | --- |
| Part A, on application | £300 |
| Part B, on grant | £700 |
| Total | £1,000 |
The fee is not based on how long the licence lasts. The full fee is payable for any licence issued during the designation.
Fees are set by the council and subject to change, so confirm the current figure before applying.
Why This Matters
From the 1st of October, any private landlord, or any person who controls or manages a property in either area, must apply to Newcastle City Council for a selective licence.
Failure to licence can lead to prosecution and an unlimited fine, or a financial penalty of up to £40,000 per property. Rent repayment orders run to 24 months' rent.
The boundary being a house number rather than a ward is what makes this one risky. A spreadsheet filter on street name gets it wrong in both directions, and an enforcement officer with the designation in hand does not.
So no, this is not a minor admin issue.
What Landlords Should Do Now
1. Check every Byker and Benwell address against the street and number list
Not the street name alone.
2. Apply for anything covered
The scheme is in force.
3. Record which addresses you checked and when
If a property turns out to be in scope later, the record of the check is worth having.
Why Landlords Get This Wrong
- "Our property is on Welbeck Road, and Welbeck Road isn't in it." Part of it is.
- "Both our houses are on the same street, so the answer is the same." Not here.
- "It's a renewal, so nothing has changed." The boundaries have.
- "My managing agent must have done it."
How Yuno Can Help
Yuno helps landlords, agents and property managers deal with licensing properly. We can help you:
- check a Newcastle portfolio against the street and house number list
- identify which specific addresses are in scope
- prepare and submit applications
- review your documents and compliance position
If you would like our team's support with your licence application, we can apply on your behalf or help you through the process. Feel free to book a free 15-minute call.
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A good licensing approach isn’t reactive, it’s strategic. We help you plan ahead to avoid enforcement notices, fines, and missed rental income. Our support includes:
1. Portfolio Risk Scans
Integrated to CRMs and other tech partners through API. For agents, managers or portfolio landlords, we bulk-scan your property list for licensing or planning issues, and flag risks before they become liabilities.
2. Licensing Checks & Applications
We identify which licences your properties need, and handle the applications for you. No copy-pasting. Everything is tailored, correct, and submitted on your behalf.
3. Planning Review & Assessments
We assess planning constraints too, giving you visibility before you buy, let, or convert. Avoid costly planning breaches.
4. Council Liaison & Evidence Packs
We deal directly with local authorities, submit compliance evidence, and keep you updated with real-time progress.
5. Renewals & Notifications : Never miss a renewal again.
We monitor expiry dates and prompt you before action is needed, integrated into our Yuno platform.
6. Exemptions, Temporary Relief & Support for Appeals
If things go wrong or you inherit a problem, we help you file temporary exemption notices (TENs), gather supporting documentation, and advise on enforcement responses.
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