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Applications are made through the Gov.UK website. Please ensure you have read the guidance and information below.
PLEASE NOTE: When you get to the application form it will be headed up with a reference to Houses in Multiple Occupation, but please ignore this as the form will allow you to choose a Selective Licence on page 2.
Further information about the scheme can be found below.
IMPORTANT: If your property is subject to the mandatory HMO licensing scheme, then you must make an application under that scheme. In such circumstances, your property will be excluded from selective licensing.
In 2011, Thanet District Council designated parts of the electoral wards of Margate Central and Cliftonville West as a selective licensing area. Unless subject to exemption, all privately rented properties within the area were required to be licensed with the council. The scheme was introduced to help tackle low housing demand and anti-social behaviour. The scheme required landlords to comply with a range of conditions to ensure good property management.
Owing to the success of the selective licensing designation, the scheme was continued with a further designation.
On 19 January 2016, the council’s Cabinet decided to make a further five year selective licensing designation. The designation concerns an area similar to that in the previous scheme; however, additional properties in Trinity Square and Northdown Road have now been included. The further designation came into force on 21 April 2016 (the day after the previous scheme expired) and will expire on 20 April 2021, unless revoked early by the council. There was no break between the designations.
All licences granted under the previous scheme will remain valid until they expire (the expiry date is shown on the front page of every licence). Existing licence holders are advised to renew their licences early, as a renewal application made at least six weeks before the licence expiry date will attract a lower licence fee. The full proposal, as considered by the council’s Cabinet, provides more comprehensive information about the designation.
The new designation is expected to contribute to:
On 19 January 2016, the council’s Cabinet decided to make a further selective licensing designation in respect of certain parts of the electoral wards of Margate Central and Cliftonville West. Full details of the scheme, including why it has been introduced, can be found in the document: Proposal to make a further selective licensing designation. This document and further information relating to selective licensing can be found on the council’s website at: Full proposal as considered by the council’s Cabinet.pdf
The new designation became operative on 21 April 2016 and will last for five years.
Licence applications must be accompanied by the correct fee. The fee structure set out in this document applies from 01 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.
| Dwellings Licences For dwellings, whether a house or flat, occupied by a single family household or by two persons sharing | Accredited Landlords1 | Non-accredited Landlords |
| Standard licence application fee | £547 (£2.10 per week*) | £637 (£2.45 per week*) |
| Early renewal licence application fee ² (Only available to applicants who make a valid renewal licence application at least six weeks before their current licence is due to expire) | £453 (£1.74 per week*) | £543 (£2.09 per week*) |
*Equivalent weekly cost if a five year licence is granted (for illustrative purposes only).
| Buildings Licences Only available to a landlord who lets two or more flats within the same building AND is the freeholder (only a single licence required) | Accredited Landlords1 | Non-accredited Landlords |
| Standard licence application fees Fee for first flat Fee for each additional flat (within the same building) | £547 £238* | £637 £238* |
| Early renewal licence application fees ² (Only available to applicants who make a valid renewal licence application at least six weeks before their current licence is due to expire) Fee for first flat Fee for each additional flat (within the same building) | £453 £238* | £543 £238* |
* Equivalent weekly cost is £0.90 for each additional flat, if a five year licence is granted (weekly cost is shown for illustrative purposes only).
Owing to legislative restrictions, 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 must require individual licence applications for every flat.
| Capped Licence Fees Only available to a landlord who lets two or more flats within the same building, but is NOT the freeholder (multiple licences required) | Accredited Landlords1 | Non-accredited Landlords |
| Standard licence application fees Fee for the first flat CAPPED fee for each additional flat (within the same building) | £547 £309* | £637 £309* |
| Early renewal licence application fees ² (Only available to applicants who make a valid renewal licence application at least six weeks before their current licence is due to expire) Fee for the first flat CAPPED fee for each additional flat (within the same building) | £453 £309* | £543 £309* |
* Equivalent weekly cost is £1.13 for each additional flat, if a five year licence is granted (weekly cost is shown for illustrative purposes only).
| Selective Licensing HMO Fees For HMOs with shared amenities, including bedsit type properties, shared houses, and flats in multiple occupation | Accredited Landlords1 | Non-accredited Landlords |
| Standard licence application fees HMOs which contain 2 – 8 units of accommodation Fee for each additional unit of accommodation (In addition to the fee for HMOs which contain 2 – 8 units of accommodation) | £828
£42 | £918
£42 |
| Early renewal licence application fees ² (Only available to applicants who make a valid renewal licence application at least six weeks before their current licence is due to expire) HMOs which contain 2 – 8 units of accommodation Fee for each additional unit of accommodation (In addition to the fee for HMOs which contain 2 – 8 units of accommodation) | £613 £42 | £703 £42 |
1 For the purposes of selective licensing, an accredited landlord is a landlord who is fully accredited with any of the following:
2 A renewal licence application can be made when an unexpired licence remains in force in respect of a property. A shorter licence application form is available for use when making renewal applications. However, while a (non-early) renewal licence application can be made within six weeks of expiry, such a licence application will be subject to the standard licence application fees.
If you want to change the terms of the licence after it has been issued, you will need to make an application to vary the licence. There is no charge for making an application to vary a licence.
If you or your named manager change address after the licence has been issued, you must notify the council. This is a legal requirement – you will breach the terms of your licence if you don’t tell us. There is no licence fee charge for changes of address.
All licences are non-transferable (see section 91(6) of the Housing Act 2004). As such, no licence can be varied to change the licence holder. If the licence holder is to be changed, a wholly new licence application must be made and the appropriate licence fee paid.
If the council agrees to the early revocation of a selective licence, no pro-rata rebate of the licence application fee is refundable.
If you would like help with any aspect of the application process, the Private Sector Housing Team will be able to assist you. Please ring us on 01843 577437 and one of our officers will be happy to help. We can also be contacted by email on: housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk or housing.licensing@thanet.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can write to us at:
Private Sector Housing
Community Services
Thanet District Council
PO Box 9
Cecil Street
Margate
Kent
CT9 1XZ
Every attempt has been made to ensure that this list is as comprehensive as possible; however, the designation is based on the geographical area delineated by the red line on the designation map. The map overrides this list and is final and conclusive as to whether a property is or is not subject to selective licensing.
Renewal applications can only be made if your current licence remains valid and has not yet expired.
If your licence has expired you must make a new application.
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