Gateshead MetaStreet Licensing Portal: How to Navigate the Online Application System

The Portal Is Administrative, Not Instructional

Gateshead Council processes all property licence applications through its MetaStreet platform, accessed via a "My Gateshead Account" login. The portal handles form completion, document uploads, and fee payments. What it doesn't do is explain the process before you start — there's no preview of the questions, no list of required documents, and no guidance on what format certificates need to be in. You create an account, start the form, and figure it out as you go.

This is why applications stall. A landlord logs in, hits a section asking for an EICR upload, realises the certificate is with the electrician, saves the draft, and comes back weeks later — sometimes after the early bird discount window has closed or after the council has flagged the property as unlicensed.

Setting Up Your Account

You'll need a "My Gateshead Account" to access the MetaStreet portal. Registration requires a valid email address and basic contact details. Each property needs its own separate application — even if you own multiple properties in the same building or on the same street, there's no bulk submission option through the portal.

Once registered, choose the relevant licence application after checking the address designation and occupancy. The address checker and licensing hierarchy determine whether the property needs a selective licence, additional HMO licence, or mandatory HMO licence; do not rely on the portal to classify it for you.

What the Application Form Covers

The form moves through several sections:

Property details. Full address, property type, number of storeys, number of rooms, and the LSOA designation (the system confirms this from the address).

Licence holder details. Name, address, and contact information for the proposed licence holder. This must be the person or entity in operational control of the property.

Fit and proper person declarations. Statutory self-declarations about criminal history, housing law enforcement, and discrimination findings. Both the licence holder and any separate property manager must complete these. The declarations cover unspent convictions for fraud, dishonesty, violence, drug offences, and sexual offences, plus any prior tribunal findings or enforcement actions under housing legislation.

Occupancy details. Number of occupants, household composition, and tenancy arrangements. For HMO applications, you'll also enter room dimensions and upload floor plans.

Compliance document uploads. This is where most applications get stuck. The portal requires:

• Current Landlord Gas Safety Record (CP12) if gas appliances are present
• Satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated E or above
• Copy of the written tenancy agreement
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm compliance declarations
• Floor plans with measurements (HMO applications)

Payment. Part A fee is payable immediately on submission. Part B is invoiced separately once the council decides to grant the licence.

The Draft-Save Feature

The portal lets you save a partially completed application and return later. This is useful if you're waiting on a certificate or need to gather information from a managing agent. However, a saved draft isn't a submitted application — the property remains unlicensed while the draft sits incomplete, and the council can still pursue enforcement.

The risk with draft-saving is losing track of time. An incomplete application that sits for weeks doesn't demonstrate good faith to the council. If they've already identified the property as requiring a licence and no complete application is on file, you're exposed to civil penalties regardless of your draft's status.

Avoiding the £25 Incomplete Application Surcharge

Gateshead Council charges a £25 surcharge when an application is returned because of missing information or requires repeated follow-up from council officers. This surcharge is separate from the Part A fee and is charged on top of it.

The trigger is usually missing or expired documents. An EICR with an unsatisfactory result, a CP12 that expired before submission, or a missing tenancy agreement can cause the application to be returned or require follow-up. The £25 charge applies when an application is returned for missing information or requires repeated follow-up; two separate requests for missing documents can also forfeit fee discounts.

More critically, if an application is rejected outright because of fundamental deficiencies — wrong property details, failed fit and proper test, or documents that can't be verified — the non-refundable Part A fee (£510 for selective, £585.80 for additional HMO) is lost entirely.

Before You Log In

Prepare everything before creating your account. Check the property address against the council's address checker to confirm the LSOA designation and licence type. Gather all certificates and confirm they're current. Have the tenancy agreement saved as a PDF. Know your occupancy numbers and household composition.

The difference between a smooth 30-minute application and a drawn-out process that triggers surcharges almost always comes down to preparation, not portal complexity.

Our Gateshead landlord licensing guide includes a pre-portal audit checklist — a document-by-document verification system designed to confirm everything is ready before you start the MetaStreet application, so the submission goes through cleanly on the first attempt.

See more England guides →