Introduction
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 2020 to 31 March 2021.
Licence fees for dwellings
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 | £548 (£2.11 per week*) | £648 (£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) | £452 (£1.74 per week*) | £552 (£2.09 per week*) |
*Equivalent weekly cost if a five year licence is granted (for illustrative purposes only).
Licence fees for landlords owning buildings containing flats
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) | £548 £241* | £648 £241* |
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) | £452 £241* | £552 £241* |
* Equivalent weekly cost is £0.93 for each additional flat, if a five year licence is granted (weekly cost is shown for illustrative purposes only).
Licence fees for landlords owning more than one flat in a building without owning the freehold
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) | £548 £319* | £648 £319* |
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) | £452 £319* | £552 £319* |
* Equivalent weekly cost is £1.23 for each additional flat, if a five year licence is granted (weekly cost is shown for illustrative purposes only).
Licence fees for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
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) | £833 £42 | £933 £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) | £615 £42 | £715 £42 |
1 For the purposes of selective licensing, an accredited landlord is a landlord who is fully accredited with any of the following:
- Kent Landlord Accreditation Scheme (KLAS), which is delivered through the Accreditation & Training for Landlords & Agents Service (ATLAS);
- National Landlords Association Accreditation Scheme (NLA Accreditation); or
- Residential Landlords Association Accreditation Scheme (RLAAS).
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.
Withdrawal of licence application
Fees are non-refundable. If you make a selective licence application and then decide to withdraw it at a later date, no part of the licence fee paid is refundable.
Refusal of licence application
If a selective licence application is refused by the council, no part of the licence fee paid is refundable.
Applications to vary a licence
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.
Have you moved?
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.
Non-transferability of licences
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.
Early revocation
If the council agrees to the early revocation of a selective licence, no pro-rata rebate of the licence application fee is refundable.
Help and advice
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.licensing@thanet.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can write to us at: Private Sector Housing, Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ.
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