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Landlord Licensing Guide
Darlington Borough Council has no licensing scheme currently found
Unitary · North East · Last researched 2026-09-03
Selective licensing in Darlington Borough Council
✓ No selective scheme found
Researched with no evidence of a live scheme. Licensing status changes on a weeks-to-months cadence, not annually — this is why we date every page.
Additional licensing in Darlington Borough Council
✓ No additional scheme found
Researched with no evidence of a live scheme. Licensing status changes on a weeks-to-months cadence, not annually — this is why we date every page.
🕓 PROPOSED
. Darlington's Local Plan and recent councillor statements (real, named concern over HMO growth 'taking family homes off the market') point toward an ambition to introduce additional licensing, but no scheme is live yet — a real, active concern rather than a rumour, marked proposed on the strength of the council's own plan document.
National obligations that apply everywhere in England
These apply regardless of Darlington Borough Council's own licensing rules — every England landlord is on the hook for these:
- Annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — Any property with gas — unlimited fine and/or imprisonment on conviction if missing.
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Every rental property — a live legal requirement in England since 2020.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — Every rental property — currently rated E or above to be let legally.
- Tenancy deposit protection — Any deposit taken — must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
- Right to Rent checks — Every tenant — landlords must verify immigration status before letting.
- PRS Landlord Database registration — Phasing in nationally 2026–2028 under the Renters' Rights Act — a new, separate requirement from council licensing.
Related guides
Information, not legal advice. Compiled from public sources on 2026-09-03; licensing schemes change on a weeks-to-months cadence, not annually, so always confirm directly with Darlington Borough Council before relying on this for a real letting decision. Overall confidence for this page: medium.