Selective licensing scheme - news and events

Apply for a Selective Licence

From the 1 April 2026 the scheme requires that all private landlords operating within the designated area to hold a Selective Licence for their privately rented property, unless subject to statutory exemption. All applications must be made through Home Safe as the Council's delivery partner.

To apply for a licence, you must submit your application through Home Safe. The application process has three stages, each supported by its own short guidance video to help you complete the relevant section:

Register as an applicant
Add your property or properties
Apply and pay the licence fee

Please note this is the same form you would use if you require a Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN)

More information and the link to the application form

One-to-One Selective Licence Application Support Sessions

Latest Update: 19 March 2026

30-minute one-to-one sessions to assist landlords in making applications for Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Selective Licensing Scheme.

Date and location

Rambouillet Room, Town Hall, Great Yarmouth
1 June and 2 June 2026
30 minute time slot

One-to-one licence application support sessions will be held at the Town Hall, these sessions will support landlords in completing licence applications through the online platform.

Check availability

Landlords may book a 30-minute slot on either day, which will provide individual support to:

register as an applicant
add properties to their account
complete and submit a licence application

Each slot is one-to-one, lasts up to 30 minutes, and must be booked in advance. The session will support applicants in completing and submitting a licence application. Where multiple properties are involved and cannot be completed within the allocated time, applicants will be expected to complete the remaining steps independently.

Landlord Application Webinar - 6 May 2026

This online session will provide landlords with clear, practical guidance on Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Selective Licensing Scheme, including who needs to apply for a licence, what documentation is required, and how to remain compliant once licenced.

Wed 6 May 2026
1pm - 2:30pm

Delivered by Home Safe, the Council's delivery partner, the session will cover

overview of the licensing scheme and Home Safe's role
guidance on who should apply as the Licence Holder
step-by-step walkthrough of the landlord application process
documentation required to support your application
post-submission steps and ongoing compliance responsibilities
support and benefits available for landlords through Home Safe

Attendees will also be able to ask questions through a chat function during the event

Landlord Application Workshops - 9 April 2026

Published date: 17 March 2026

Due to high demand, two additional landlord workshops have been arranged to provide guidance on how to apply for a licence under Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Selective Licensing Scheme.

Date and location

Assembly Room, Town Hall, Great Yarmouth
Thursday, 9 April 2026, 3pm to 4pm
Thursday, 9 April 2026, 6pm to 7pm

When booking, please select your preferred time.

Due to limited capacity, please register through Eventbrite to reserve your place and receive confirmation of attendance. Anyone who has not registered will not be permitted to attend.

Reserve your seat

Please note that the sessions are informative workshops covering how to make a valid licence application. Wider discussions about licensing fall outside the scope of the event and will not be addressed during the workshops.

Selective Licence application portal

Published date: 13 March 2026

We have seen a recent increase in enquiries from landlords about the application portal. Please note that the link to the portal will be available when the scheme goes live on 1 April 2026.

We also have a comprehensive FAQs for Selective Licensing section that should address most queries. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Landlord Application Workshops

Published date: 09 March 2026

We are pleased to announce we will be hosting an in-person event for landlords on Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Selective Licensing Scheme, which comes into force on 1 April 2026.

To support you, this in-person event will provide clear, practical guidance on the scheme, including who needs to apply, what documentation is required, and how to remain compliant once licensed.

Date and location

Assembly Room, Town Hall, Great Yarmouth
Tuesday, 24 March 2026, 6pm to 7pm

Reserve a seat for this workshop

What will the session cover?

overview of the licensing scheme and Home Safe's role as the Delivery Partner
guidance on who should apply as the Licence Holder
step-by-step walkthrough of the Landlord application process
documentation required to support your application
post-submission steps and ongoing compliance responsibilities
support and benefits available through Home Safe
Q&A session

It is an offence to operate, manage, or control a property that requires a Selective Licence without a valid licence in place or without a duly made application being submitted.

Agent registration

Published date: 02 March 2026

Many landlords appoint letting or managing agents to act on their behalf during the application process and in meeting compliance duties. To enable agents to be added to licence applications, all agents with clients in the designated area are required to be registered with Home Safe from 1 April 2026.

Information event for agents

Published date: 10 February 2026

We are pleased to announce we will be hosting an in-person event for letting agents on Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Selective Licensing Scheme, which comes into force on 1 April 2026.

This in-person event will provide clear, practical guidance on the scheme, including who is required to apply, what documentation is needed, and how agents can support their landlord clients in meeting the licensing obligations.

The information covered in this event is tailored for letting agents. Separate events are taking place for landlords in March.

Date and location

Assembly Room, Town Hall, Great Yarmouth
Monday, 23 February 2026, 11 am to 12:30 pm

Reserve a seat for this event

What will the session will cover?

overview of the licensing scheme and Home Safe's role as the Delivery Partner
key scheme information relevant to agents
guidance on who should be the licence holder
agent registration process and step-by-step walkthrough
managing your agency account, including profile and dashboard features
how agents interact with and support client applications
explanation of the licence holder application process, including when agents apply as licence holders
post-submission steps and ongoing compliance responsibilities
Q&A session

Letting agents with clients operating in the designated area must register with Home Safe, the scheme's delivery partner, before 1 April to enable them to be added to licence applications.

It is an offence to operate, manage, or control a property that requires a Selective Licence without a valid licence in place or without a duly made application being submitted. For the avoidance of doubt, this also applies to agents.