London Selective Licensing 2025 — Which Boroughs Require It and What You Must Do

What Is Selective Licensing?

Selective licensing allows London boroughs to require all private landlords in a designated area to obtain a licence for each rented property — not just HMOs. Unlike mandatory HMO licensing (which applies nationally to properties with 5+ occupants in 3+ storeys), selective licensing is a discretionary power used to address poor property conditions or anti-social behaviour in specific areas.

London Boroughs with Active Licensing Schemes (2025)

The following London boroughs currently operate selective or additional licensing schemes affecting private landlords (non-HMO properties). This list changes regularly as schemes expire or new ones are approved:

• Barking and Dagenham — borough-wide selective licensing
• Brent — additional licensing in multiple wards
• Croydon — selective licensing in designated areas
• Enfield — selective licensing in certain wards
• Hackney — additional licensing borough-wide
• Haringey — selective licensing in designated areas
• Hounslow — selective licensing in parts of the borough
• Islington — additional licensing scheme
• Lambeth — selective licensing in certain areas
• Lewisham — selective licensing
• Merton — selective licensing designation in certain areas
• Newham — borough-wide selective licensing (one of the first in England)
• Redbridge — selective licensing
• Southwark — selective licensing
• Tower Hamlets — additional licensing
• Waltham Forest — selective licensing

Schemes change regularly. Always verify directly with the borough's housing team whether your specific property is in a licensed area.

What Licensing Conditions Require

Selective licensing conditions vary by borough but typically require:

• Valid Gas Safety Certificate (annual)
• Valid EICR electrical inspection certificate (every 5 years)
• Adequate smoke and CO detection (alarms in specified locations)
• Property in good state of repair
• No Category 1 or 2 HHSRS hazards
• Evidence of annual boiler service
• PAT testing for landlord-supplied appliances (in some boroughs)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating without a selective licence where one is required is a criminal offence. Penalties include:

• Unlimited fines in the magistrates' court
• Civil penalties of up to £30,000
• Rent repayment orders (tenants can reclaim up to 12 months' rent)
• Banning orders preventing future letting

Rent repayment orders are particularly severe — tenants can apply to reclaim rent for the entire unlicensed period, with no cap on the amount recoverable.