- Why do I need to apply for a Selective Licence?
Please visit the Local Authority’s website for further information about Selective Licensing in the designated area of Great Yarmouth. The website will tell you everything you need to know about Selective Licensing and any active schemes in the area.
You will also find information about the consultation, the licence conditions and your obligations as a Landlord. The following link will take you directly to the appropriate page: Visit the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Selective Licensing Scheme webpage.
- Are there any exemptions?
Yes. The full list of exemptions can be found on the Local Authority’s website. Visit the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Selective Licensing Scheme webpage.
- Who is Home Safe?
Home Safe is a Delivery Partner that works with Local Authorities on the administration of their property licensing schemes, enabling Local Authorities to focus their resources on targeted enforcement against non-compliant Landlords.
By working with a Delivery Partner the Local Authority is able to provide Landlords with an online property portal enabling them to add their properties, submit licence applications and manage their ongoing compliance.
As part of Home Safe’s service, we provide a managed licence application service to Landlords, funded by the Local Authority, to ensure that Landlords are supported in submitting a compliant application
- How do I apply for a licence?
To apply for a licence, you must submit an application via Home Safe. To do that, you will first need to register and verify your identification, after which you can add your property and apply for your licence. You will find a link to register on this webpage and once registered, you will then need to use the login button to access the portal where you can add your properties and submit your licence applications.
- How much will it cost?
The total cost of a licence is £694 in total, Part A is £200 and Part B is £494. Payment of Part A must be made with your application submission in order for your application to be considered complete and valid.
- How do I register as an Applicant?
To apply for a property licence, you must first register as an Applicant. This allows your identity and address to be verified before you can begin adding properties and submitting licence applications. Landlords can register from 1 April 2026.
To start, click ‘Register as an Applicant’ on the portal homepage. You’ll be asked to enter your email address, and a verification code will be sent to you by email. Enter this code to proceed.
You’ll then begin the registration process, which involves providing your personal details and verifying your identity and proof of address using Yoti, a secure, government-approved identification platform. In most cases, verification is completed within a few minutes, but please allow up to 48 hours.
Once your identity has been successfully verified, you will receive a confirmation email. You’ll then be able to log in to the portal, add your property details, and begin your licence application.
Please note that you must complete the Applicant registration and identity verification before you can submit any applications.
- Is Yoti secure?
Yoti uses advanced encryption and meets the highest security standards. Verification through Yoti is a legal requirement of the scheme and must be completed before you can apply for a licence.
- What information will I need to apply for a licence?
To apply for a licence you will need to register with Home Safe with proof of identity and proof of address documents.
You will also need to provide proof of ownership in the form of one of the following:
- Land Registry Title Register
- A copy of the TR1 Form, or TP1 Form (this is the form sent to the land registry to register the transfer of ownership)
- An email or letter from your solicitor confirming ownership
- A copy of a mortgage statement dated within the last 3 months
If you are not the owner, you will need to provide a signed nominated consent form.
In order to submit a licence application, you will need to have all relevant information about the property and the tenancy to hand, as well as electronic copies of all relevant certificates, such as:
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
- Gas Certificate (GSC)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if required, for the current letting. If you don’t have a copy, you can find your EPC using the government’s EPC Register.
- Tenancy details, if the property is currently let
For multi let properties you will also require:
- Fire Alarm Test Certificate (if the property has a fire alarm panel)
- Emergency Lighting Test Certificate (if the property has emergency lighting)
- Fire Extinguisher Service Record (if the property has fire extinguishers)
- Floor plan
Please note you will be required to provide contact details including names, numbers and email addresses for all relevant parties, such as mortgage companies and in cases of leasehold flats, the freeholder. You will also be required to enter details of any active tenancies at the property, this will include the tenancy start date and further information on the number of occupiers. You can also provide the tenant contact information, which is helpful, especially if you wish for them to be the point of contact for your inspection.
You will need to provide details of the appropriate person to contact in order to arrange your property inspections. If its not yourself, the tenant or an associated Agent then you will be prompted to add the contact details of the nominated person.
- How long will it take to do an application?
If you have all the required information to hand, then submitting a valid application should take no more than 5 minutes per property. Please note that once you have started an application you have 28 days to complete and submit that application. Failure to do this will result in your application locking and you will then be required to request for it to be ‘unlocked’ and provide reasons as to why you were unable to complete your application within the 28 day period. This could result in enforcement action being taken against you for failure to licence.
- How do I pay for my application?
Part A of the fee is payable when the application is submitted, and Part B of the fee will be invoiced at the point the draft licence is issued. The final licence cannot be issued until Part B has been paid in full, this will need paying within 7 days of the invoice being issued. If a licence is rejected or otherwise not issued, only the Part B element of the fee is eligible for a refund.
At the end of the application process, you will be asked to pay Part A of the licence fee using a UK debit or credit card, it will not be possible to submit your application without payment. If you are unable to make your payment using a card then you will need to contact Home Safe to explore other payment options.
- Who is the most suitable person to be a licence holder?
It is expected that the most appropriate person to be the licence holder would be the person acting as Landlord and this would typically be the property owner as they would normally be in receipt of the rental income. Applications from any individuals that are not the property owner will be subject to review and will require the submission of a 'nominated licence holder consent form' and may require additional supporting information to be submitted.
If the property is owned by a limited company then the most appropriate person to submit the application would be the individual registered as the person in significant control at companies house and where there is no identified individual in significant control it should be the majority shareholder or a nominated director. Once the application has been approved the licence can be issued in the name of the limited company or the applicant. Your preference can be selected during the application process.
It's worth noting that if you do not reside in the UK then you will be unable to be a licence holder and you will need to nominate an alternative individual to be the licence holder, who in turn must be formally empowered and financially enabled to make decisions regarding the property as they will be bound by the licence conditions. It is important to note that the licence holder is the person legally responsible for the property and the person against whom any enforcement action would be taken, should that be necessary.
- Which documents can I use as proof of ownership?
When adding properties, you will be required to upload proof of ownership.
The following documents are accepted:
- Land Registry Title Register
- A copy of the TR1 or TP1 Form (this is the form sent to the land registry to register the transfer of ownership)
- An email or letter from your solicitor confirming ownership
- A copy of a mortgage statement dated within the last 3 months
- What are the penalties for not having a Selective Licence?
It is against the law for any Landlord to rent out a property in a designated Selective Licence area without a licence. The Local Authority is committed to working with other partner agencies to find unlicensed properties and take legal action.
Landlords with unlicensed rented properties can face a financial penalty of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine from the court. Their control of unlicensed properties can be removed and they can be ordered to repay up to 12 months' rent to the Local Authority or their tenants. If you are aware of a property being let that does not have a licence, please email slicence@great-yarmouth.gov.uk with any details.
- Can my agent be the licence holder?
If you are the property owner and you reside in the UK then you are the most appropriate person to be the licence holder, and your Agent should be added to your application as an interested party, using the ‘Add Agent’ feature within your application. It is not appropriate for an Agent to be the licence holder unless proper justification can be provided, such as the property owner not residing in the UK.
Please note that in order to add your Agent to an application, your Agent must first register and verify themselves with Home Safe. If an Agent does not appear in the list of available Agents, then you can add your Agent manually in order to proceed and Home Safe will seek to verify them. If the Agent is not responsive, then you will be required to remove them from your application or add a verified Agent in order for your application to be considered a valid submission.
- Can I apply directly to the Local Authority?
No. The Local Authority has engaged the services of a Delivery Partner, Home Safe, to manage the application and inspection process. In essence applying via Home Safe is the same as applying directly to a Local Authority, Applications must be made through the Home Safe platform.
- How long will I have to complete my application, once I have started it?
Once an application has been started, you will have 28 Days to complete and submit your application. An application is only considered to have a valid submission if all the information provided is correct, the certificates are valid and Payment of the Part A Fee has been received. During the 28-day period you will receive a number of email reminders, but following the expiry of the 28 days, your application will lock, and you will need to contact Home Safe in order for the application to be unlocked. Please note, you are required to make an application for a licence within 28 days of the intention to let the property, for example, if you have recently purchased a vacant property that you wish to let, and failure to do so could result in a significant fine and is considered a criminal offence.
- What happens once my application is submitted?
Once your application has been submitted, it will show as submitted in your portal and you will receive an email confirmation that you have submitted a valid application. Following this Home Safe will review your application and once all information is verified it will be passed to the Local Authority for processing. It's worth noting that during this time Home Safe or the Local Authority may need to come back to you for further information.
Once a valid application has been processed, the applicant and all identified interested parties will be sent a draft licence and the applicant will be emailed an invoice for the Part B element of the fee which will need to be paid within 7 days. After a period of 35 days has lapsed, if there have been no representations made that require further investigation and payment of the Part B fee has been received then the Local Authority can issue the final licence.
It’s important to note that the process of issuing a final licence can take up to 6 months, if you have received your email confirmation of a valid application, then please do not chase up your licence until six months have elapsed. Tacit consent is not applicable to this type of application as the Local Authority must ensure that the applicant licence holder is the most appropriate person, is a ‘Fit and Proper Person’ and that the property connected with the application is within the designated Selective Licensing scheme area.
- What happens after the licence is issued?
Once the licence has been issued by the Local Authority, you are operating legally but you must continue to comply with the licence conditions.
Throughout the duration of the scheme, Licence Holders are expected to keep the information in their property portal up to date at all times including the updating of any new certificates, failure to do so could result in enforcement action by the Local Authority.
- If I sell my property am I entitled to a refund?
No, there are no refunds available for licence fees.
- Can I pay monthly or annually?
No, Part A of the licence fee must be paid in full with your application, and Part B must be paid in full within 7 days of receiving your draft licence and the corresponding invoice.
- What if I no longer need a licence?
Once your licence has been issued, you can go to your portal and request a termination. This is typically done if you have sold the property, no longer intend to let the property or no longer wish to be the licence holder. Please note that no refunds will be issued for any licences terminated before the expiry date of the scheme.
If your licence is no longer needed due to a sale of the property, you will need to provide evidence such as a copy of the TR1 sent to the land registry showing the transferor and transferee or a solicitor's letter. Please note that an intention to sell is not grounds for revocation.
- Is the licence transferable?
No. Each licence is for the named licence holder and if, for whatever reason, that person needs to change then a new application and accompanying fee must be submitted and the existing licence will need to be terminated.
- What if I change my personal details?
If there is a change to your name, personal address or contact information, then you must update the profile information within your portal. In the case of a change to a licence holder's name or personal address, this will raise a variation request.
- What if I sell my property?
You will need to submit a termination request in order to have your licence revoked, which you can do in your portal.
- Do I get training?
Yes, in your application submission confirmation email, there is a link to some free online training to assist you in further understanding Selective Licensing and what this means for both the licence holder and the tenant.
- What happens if any of my property certificates expire before my application is processed?
Once you have submitted your application, you are required to ensure that your latest certificates are always uploaded to your property portal to demonstrate ongoing compliance. By doing this, your property certificates should always be up to date. If your certificates were valid at the time the application was submitted then your application will be processed as a valid application. However, following your final licence being issued your property will then be brought to the immediate attention of the Local Authority for consideration of a failure to certificate offence. Failure to provide up to date certificates can result in enforcement action by the Local Authority, and in some cases, your licence may be revoked.
- What if I change my Agent after my licence has been granted?
Once your licence has been issued, you can go back to your portal, go to your licensed property and select the action to change your Agent.
- What is the benefit of the Local Authority engaging a Delivery Partner to support them with the delivery of their scheme?
With regard to applications, it removes the administrative burden from the Local Authority and allows them to focus their activities on issuing licences and enforcement. This means the Local Authority can focus its resources on enforcing, against those most deserving, in a more efficient and effective way. Using a delivery partner also ensures that the scheme is delivered as intended and without needing additional funds from the public purse.
For Landlords, Home Safe provides additional help, training and support throughout the entire licensing period and creates a level playing field for all Landlords operating in the area. In recognition of the financial pressures that some Landlords may experience, as a result of licensing, Home Safe has negotiated a number of discounts with reputable organisations that Licence Holders can benefit from. To see the current discounts available please visit the ‘Landlord Discounts’ area of our website or select the following link Landlord Discounts.
- How can I contact Home Safe?
In the first instance, all enquiries should be sent by email to info@home-safe.org.uk.
