London Borough of Tower Hamlets: landlord licensing 2026
Borough-wide selective licensing proposed / active plus additional HMO licensing.
Local rent benchmark
Indicative · Jan 2026 · ONS / HomeLet / VOA roll-up
Average rent
£2,340
per month, all sizes
1-bed / 2-bed
£1,860 · £2,510
per month
HMO room rent
£965
per room, per month
Gross yield · YoY
4.9% · +5.4%
typical BTL stock
Editorial roll-up of public ONS IPHRP, HomeLet and VOA data. Always verify a live figure on ONS / VOA before legal or financial use. Full UK rent dataset →
National compliance stack
These duties apply in London Borough of Tower Hamlets exactly as they do nationally, alongside any local licensing scheme below.
What's in force in London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Borough-wide selective licensing has been designated in recent schemes; always verify current designation
- Additional HMO scheme covers 3–4 person HMOs in 2+ households
- Mandatory HMO licensing for 5+ occupants as per national rules
Typical licence fee: Selective licence typically ~£600–£900 per property for 5 years. Fees change - always verify current amounts on the council site before applying.
FAQs: London Borough of Tower Hamlets licensing
Is selective licensing live across all of Tower Hamlets?
Tower Hamlets has operated and proposed borough-wide selective schemes. Always verify on the council’s current landlord licensing page before letting.
What happens if I let without a licence in Tower Hamlets?
Civil penalties of up to £30,000, prosecution risk, and the tenant can seek a Rent Repayment Order for up to 12 months’ rent.
Postcode districts
Drill down by outward code (e.g. E8, M14) for area-specific licensing context. Always confirm on the council postcode checker.
City-wide context: London
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.
See full London compliance guideOther London council areas
London Borough of Hackney
Borough-wide additional HMO licensing plus designated selective schemes.
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.
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