Selective Licensing in Doncaster

Doncaster is simple: one live selective scheme in Hexthorpe, plus standard mandatory HMO licensing, no additional HMO or wider selective schemes as at 2026.

Scheme status, area, dates

• Where: Designated area of Hexthorpe and Balby North ward.
• Designation: Cabinet approved re-introduction in September 2021.
• Start date: 1 March 2022.
• End date: Up to 28 February 2027 (5-year designation).

The earlier Edlington selective scheme ended on 6 February 2023 and has not been renewed.

So in 2026, Hexthorpe is the only active selective-licensing area in Doncaster.

Fees

From the council's Hexthorpe licensing page and application form:

Fee has two parts:

• Part 1, Application fee: GBP 200.
• Part 2, Grant fee (compliance / enforcement): GBP 400 pro-rated depending on when you apply.

Total fee if you apply:

• Year 1 (by 28 Feb 2023): GBP 600 (200 + 400).
• Year 2: GBP 520 (200 + 320).
• Year 3: GBP 440 (200 + 240).
• Year 4: GBP 360 (200 + 160).
• Year 5: GBP 280 (200 + 80).

In regional comparison tables, Doncaster shows a selective fee of GBP 515 (average across those pro-rata bands) and a mandatory HMO licence of GBP 780.

Late applications: an extra GBP 50 if the council has already deployed resources to chase an unlicensed property or you apply more than 3 months late.

Licence conditions and enforcement

Conditions

Hexthorpe licence conditions include:

• Fit and proper person test for licence holder and manager.
• Property condition: No serious hazards; adequate heating and safety measures.
• Management and documentation:
• Tenancy agreement for every tenant.
• Waste management agreement.
• Anti-social behaviour agreement with tenants.
• Annual declaration of compliance to the council.

The council can add extra conditions case-by-case (for example on management standards); you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal if you disagree.

Enforcement

Hexthorpe has historically been one of Doncaster's worst streets for PRS issues and enforcement.

Cabinet report notes "highest instance of enforcement action in the borough" with top four enforcement streets all in Hexthorpe, mostly PRS.

Under the current scheme (to date):

• 641 licences issued, 625 live.
• Year 1: 56 properties compliant on inspection, 129 "brought into compliance", 126 satisfactory self-declarations.
• Year 2: 7 properties compliant, 7 brought into compliance, 139 satisfactory self-declarations.
• 197 inspections and 25 self-declarations still in progress.
• 36 Civil Penalty Notices issued for non-compliance; 11 paid, 25 withdrawn.

Doncaster also uses:

• Civil penalties (up to GBP 30,000 nationally) for housing offences.
• Prosecution for serious or repeated non-compliance.
• A 2022 crackdown resulted in fines between GBP 500 and GBP 2,940 for landlords who failed to provide licence compliance information.

Exemptions

Hexthorpe scheme follows the usual rules:

• Mandatory HMO-licensed properties are exempt from selective (you do not double-pay).
• Registered providers / social housing.
• Certain business tenancies, long-lease occupiers and some student halls.

In practice, if you own a private rental in the designated Hexthorpe area and it is not already under a mandatory HMO licence, assume it needs a selective licence.

Application process

You apply via the council's online Hexthorpe selective licensing application page.

You need:

• Landlord/manager details and fit-and-proper declarations.
• Property address and occupancy details.
• Card to pay Part 1 (GBP 200) on submission.

Licences are not transferable and in most cases are valid until 28 February 2027. One licence per house.

The council expects you to apply before letting a property in the designated area; operating unlicensed while you "get round to it" risks civil penalties and the additional GBP 50 late-application fee.

Impact on the market and landlord response

Hexthorpe has cheap stock and high yields; that is why it was swamped with poor-quality PRS and ASB in the first place.

The council's evaluation shows:

• Significant improvements in management standards.
• Many properties brought into compliance through inspection and follow-up.

Investor / landlord reaction:

• Some small landlords dislike the licence cost on low rents and have sold rather than upgrade.
• Others accept GBP 280-600 over 5 years as manageable against typical Hexthorpe gross rent, and value the fact that worst-offending competition is being pushed out or forced to improve.

There is no additional HMO licensing in Doncaster, so outside Hexthorpe you only have standard mandatory HMO licences to worry about.

What forums get wrong about Doncaster

Myth 1: "Doncaster has borough-wide selective licensing now."

Reality: As of 2026, Doncaster runs one selective scheme only, in Hexthorpe (Hexthorpe and Balby North ward), 1 March 2022 - 28 February 2027. Edlington's scheme ended in 2023 and has not been renewed.

Myth 2: "Selective licensing is just for HMOs or problem houses."

Reality: Any privately rented property in the designated Hexthorpe area, regardless of occupancy, needs a licence unless exempt; it is not limited to HMOs.

Myth 3: "The fee is trivial and Doncaster doesn't really enforce."

Reality: Fees run GBP 600 in year 1, tapering down to GBP 280 if you apply late in the scheme; the council has issued 36 civil penalty notices, plus fines GBP 500-2,940 in a previous crackdown.

Myth 4: "Because yields are high in Hexthorpe, licensing won't dent returns."

Reality: On a GBP 70k terraced house at GBP 500/month, a GBP 600 licence plus basic upgrade capex and any ASB management is the difference between a stress-free 10-11% gross and a headache; you must model it over 5 years.

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