- 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 Grimsby. 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 North East Lincolnshire Council Selective Licensing Scheme webpage.
- Are there any exemptions?
Yes. The full list of exemptions can be found on the Local Authority’s website.
You will need to provide evidence when applying for a temporary exemption.
Reason
| Evidence |
The property is in the process of being sold | Signed contracts for exchange within the next 6 months |
Eviction of tenant and no intention to re-let the property | Possession Order within the next 6 months and evidence such as sale instruction |
Probate | Grant of representation |
Death of potential Licensee/Licence Holder | Death certificate |
Proposed change of use of the property from residential to some other use | Planning permission |
- How much will it cost?
The total cost of a licence is £1,000. Part A of which equates to £600, and Part B, which equates to £400. Payment of Part A must be submitted with your application in order for your application to be considered complete and valid.
A discount on the Part B payment is offered to landlords who are accredited members with DASH. For accredited members, the Part B fee is £125, which reduces the total cost of a licence to £725.
Accredited members must be able to evidence their accreditation status upon application and complete the relevant training courses. The licence holder must maintain their accreditation each year. If accreditation lapses, the licence holder will be liable to pay £275.
- 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. The Delivery Partner also manages and delivers the inspection programmes during the scheme and is responsible for identifying issues within a property that will require managing within an agreed compliance management process. It's important to note that the Local Authority is the Licensing Authority, and any licence issued or enforcement delivered will be done via the Local Authority.
- 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 yourself and verify your identification, after which you can then add your property and apply for your licence.
You will find a link to register and login in the top right corner of this website 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 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.
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.
- Which documents can I use to verify my identity and address with Yoti?
A list of accepted documents can be found here.
- 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?
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 an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), Gas Certificate (GSC), Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if required for the current letting.
In cases of multi-let properties, you will also need:
- Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)
- PAT Certificate (if applicable)
- Legionella Risk Assessment (if applicable)
- Fire Alarm Test Certificate (if the property has a fire alarm panel)
- Emergency Lighting Test Certificate (if applicable)
- Fire Extinguisher Service Record (if applicable)
- Floor plan
Please note, you will be required to provide contact numbers and email addresses for all relevant interested parties such as mortgage companies, Agents and in cases of leasehold flats, the freeholder. You will also need to provide details of the appropriate person to contact in order to arrange your property inspections.
- 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 typically they would 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 consent to let 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.
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.
- 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.
- What if I need to 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.
- 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 that it 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 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.
- 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, which will need to be paid within 7 days of being issued. If a licence is rejected or otherwise not issued, only the Part B element of the fee is eligible for a refund if it has been paid.
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.
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.
- I'm accredited with DASH. How do I claim my discount on the Part B fee?
When applying for a licence, you will be asked if you belong to a landlord association. If applicable, you should select DASH.
Upon receipt of the Part B invoice, which will be issued at the point your Draft Licence is issued, you should email info@home-safe.org.uk with your DASH accreditation reference number. You can find this by logging in to the DASH website. Click on My Information and it will bring up your contact details with your reference number.
Once your DASH accreditation has been verified by Home Safe, the Part B invoice will be reissued showing the reduced fee, ready for you to pay.
- How do I become accredited with DASH?
To be eligible for a discount on Part B of the fee, DASH accredited members must be able to evidence their accreditation status upon application and complete the relevant training courses.
Find out more and apply on the Local Authority's website.
- 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 in order 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.
- 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 happens after 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.
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 relevant persons 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 with 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.
- 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.
- When will I get my first inspection?
There will be a minimum of one inspection programmes during the duration of the scheme. The first programme is scheduled to commence 6 months after the start date of the scheme and it is expected that each programme will run for between 12-24 months, the duration of which is dependent upon many factors.
Our inspectors will attempt to schedule the property inspection using the information provided during your application, which you are expected to update during the scheme if there have been any changes. Please note that it remains the responsibility of the licence holder to facilitate access even if a third party has been nominated as a point of contact and even if the property is managed by an Agent.
- 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 and evidence will be required.
Type of variation
| Evidence |
Name change | Marriage certificate, Decree Absolute or Final Order |
Personal address change | Utility bills, financial statements, driving licence |
- 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.
- 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.
- If I sell my property, am I entitled to a refund?
No, there are no refunds available for licence fees.
- 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 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 selectivelicensing@nelincs.gov.uk with any details.
- What happens are 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. Within the licence period, Home Safe intends to carry out two property inspections of each licensed property.
This is to ensure no serious hazards exist in your property. Following the completion of each inspection, you will receive a report, by email, which will detail any identified issues and will categorise such issues as Advisory, Potentially Enforceable or Imminent Danger.
You will be expected to resolve any identified issues in a reasonable timescale and provide evidence that such issues have been resolved. If this evidence is not provided, the Local Authority may take enforcement action against you as the licence holder.
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.
- 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.
- 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. For property inspections, it allows for a greater volume of inspections to be carried out, which serves to highlight the worst performing Landlords. In all scenarios, 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
- Why do I need to provide my mortgage company details?
Your mortgage company is classed as a Relevant Person. The Local Authority has a legal duty to notify the mortgage company that a licence application has been submitted and give them the opportunity to make representations.
During the application process, you should provide contact details for your mortgage lender (not your broker). Where possible, provide a general company email address rather than a named individual, as this helps ensure the notification is received and processed correctly. The most reliable way to find the correct contact details is via the FCA register: FCA Financial Services Register
