Middlesbrough Newport Selective Licensing Areas — Newport 1 and Newport 2 Explained

Selective licensing in Middlesbrough is concentrated in Newport ward — but it is not one scheme. Two separate designations run in parallel, each covering different streets, with different start dates, different expiry dates, and slightly different fee structures. Getting them confused can mean applying under the wrong scheme and losing a non-refundable fee.

Newport 2

Newport 2 was designated on 18 May 2023 and started on 3 July 2023. It runs until 2 July 2028. The designation covers 64 named streets and housing complexes in the Newport 2 area. Every non-exempt privately rented property inside those boundaries — single-family lets, small house shares, and HMOs with three or four occupants — needs a selective licence.

The fee is £878, paid as a single amount at application. There is also a mandatory £20 fit-and-proper-person check fee per proposed licence holder.

Newport 1 (Phase 2)

Newport 1 Phase 2 was designated on 11 June 2024 and came into force on 5 August 2024. It runs until 22 July 2029. This scheme covers 39 named streets in the Newport 1 area.

The fee is £998, split into two payments: £499 at application and £499 when the council issues a Notice of Intention to Grant. The detailed fee schedule lists no additional fit-and-proper check fee for Newport 1 Phase 2.

Why the Two Schemes Exist

Newport 1 Phase 2 replaced an earlier Newport 1 scheme that ran its five-year statutory term. When a selective licensing designation expires, all licences issued under it lapse. The council consulted and enacted a successor, but because the legal process takes time, the replacement started on a fresh date — meaning landlords who held a licence under the old scheme had to apply again under the new one.

Newport 2 was a separate, later designation covering adjacent streets. The two now run concurrently in different parts of Newport ward.

Split Streets and Boundary Traps

Some thoroughfares in Newport are divided between the two designations. Linthorpe Road, for example, has general address ranges falling under Newport 1, while specific flat complexes like Parkview Flats fall under Newport 2. Applying under the wrong designation means applying to the wrong scheme — and the fee is non-refundable.

The only reliable way to confirm which scheme applies is to check the council's online address tool or inspect the deposited street schedule at the Newport Settlement Hub on St Paul's Road (TS1 5NQ).

What Happens When These Schemes Expire

Newport 2 expires in July 2028 and Newport 1 Phase 2 in July 2029. At each expiry, every licence issued under that designation lapses automatically. The council may consult on successor schemes before each expiry date — but there is no guarantee. If no successor is enacted, the licensing requirement for that area simply ends.

Beyond these two schemes, Middlesbrough Council consulted on a proposed expansion covering 18 wards with a fee of £974 (consultation closed October 2026). Whether that proceeds is a decision for the council.

For the full street lists, fee breakdowns, and a step-by-step application guide for both Newport schemes, see our Middlesbrough Landlord Licensing Guide.

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