London landlord compliance 2026
London's private rented sector is the largest and most heavily regulated in the UK. Every one of the 33 boroughs sets its own licensing scheme on top of national rules, and many run selective licensing in defined wards. This page summarises what a London landlord must hold in 2026 on top of the core compliance stack: Gas Safety (CP12), EICR, EPC, deposit protection, Right to Rent and Renters Rights Act duties.
Boroughs
33
each sets its own scheme
Average rent
£2,150
per month, ONS Q1 2026
HMO licensing
5+ occupants
mandatory nationwide
Active selective licensing
20+ boroughs
as of Q2 2026
The national compliance stack
These duties apply in London exactly as they do nationally. Miss one and enforcement, possession claims and civil penalties all follow the same rules.
Licensing in London
Mandatory HMO licensing
Mandatory HMOAny HMO with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households needs a mandatory licence from the borough. Fees range from ~£500 to £1,100 for 5 years.
Additional licensing (smaller HMOs)
Additional licensingAt least 15 London boroughs operate additional licensing for HMOs with 3-4 occupants. Examples include Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Lambeth and Waltham Forest.
Selective licensing (non-HMO rentals)
Selective licensingNewham, Croydon, Waltham Forest and several others require a licence for every private rental in defined wards. Operating without one can mean fines of £30,000 and Rent Repayment Orders.
Article 4 directions (planning)
Article 4 planningSeveral boroughs have Article 4 directions removing permitted development for conversion to HMO. Planning consent is required before converting a C3 dwelling.
Verify the current scheme status at London borough councils before letting.
Ward & council breakdown in London
Licensing rules, Article 4 status and enforcement change street by street. Drill into the specific council area:
London Borough of Hackney
Borough-wide additional HMO licensing plus designated selective schemes.
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Borough-wide selective licensing proposed / active plus additional HMO licensing.
London Borough of Newham
The UK’s longest-running borough-wide selective licensing scheme.
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Borough-wide selective licensing with very active enforcement.
London Borough of Croydon
Borough-wide selective licensing renewed for a further 5 years.
London Borough of Lewisham
Designated-area selective licensing plus additional HMO scheme.
London Borough of Southwark
Additional HMO licensing borough-wide; selective designated in specific wards.
London Borough of Lambeth
Additional HMO licensing plus borough-wide selective scheme proposed/active.
London Borough of Haringey
Borough-wide selective and additional HMO licensing in recent cycles.
London Borough of Enfield
Selective licensing through ward designations plus additional HMO.
London Borough of Brent
Borough-wide additional HMO plus selective in specific wards.
London Borough of Islington
Additional HMO borough-wide; active fire-safety enforcement.
London Borough of Camden
Additional HMO plus selective in specific sub-areas.
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
Borough-wide selective licensing scheme.
London Borough of Redbridge
Selective licensing in designated wards plus additional HMO.
Local enforcement notes
Newham blanket licensing
Newham operates one of the longest-running selective licensing schemes in the country. Every privately rented property needs a licence. Renewals fall due every 5 years, verify current scheme status on the Newham council website.
Waltham Forest, Hackney and Tower Hamlets fines
These boroughs have historically been active enforcers, issuing civil penalties for unlicensed HMOs and HHSRS Category 1 hazards. Keep Gas, EICR and EPC records centrally; an audit-ready trail blunts enforcement.
EPC profile
Older London housing stock skews toward D-E EPCs, leaving many landlords only just above MEES. The proposed EPC C rating would be particularly disruptive to Victorian and Edwardian stock.
FAQs for London landlords
Do I need a licence to let a property in London?
It depends on the borough and the type of let. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to 5+ occupant HMOs nationwide. Many boroughs layer additional HMO licensing (smaller HMOs) and selective licensing (all rentals in defined wards). Check your borough's website before marketing the property.
How do I find out if a property is in a selective licensing area?
Each borough publishes a postcode-searchable map. Newham, Croydon and Waltham Forest run borough-wide schemes. Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Enfield run ward-level schemes. Operating without a required licence is a civil penalty offence.
Does the Renters Rights Act change anything specifically for London?
No, the Act is national. But because London has high rents and active tribunals, Section 13 rent increase challenges are more common here. Landlords should use the prescribed form and keep a market-evidence file.
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