Do I need a landlord licence in Bexley?

Bexley currently operates selective licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.

How much does a property licence cost in Bexley?

Based on our current data, licence fees in Bexley are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: Variable fee: £320 base fee plus £166 per letting (bedroom). Example: 5-bedroom HMO = £320 + (5 × £166) = £1,150 total. Renewal fee is lower: £340 base plus £200 per letting per one third-party source (may be a variant fee structure). Fees confirmed as of October 2024 and subject to change. Paid in two instalments. £50 discount for landlords accredited with recognised bodies at time of application (LLAS, NRLA, ARLA, Safeagent, RICS, UKALA); Selective Licensing Scheme – Belvedere Ward: £800; Previous Selective Licensing Scheme (expired): £766. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.

Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Bexley?

Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Bexley. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Bexley council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.

What happens if I rent without a licence in Bexley?

Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.

Enhanced research coverage

Landlord licensing in Bexley

London

We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.

Selective licensing

Active selective

Additional HMO licensing

No active additional scheme shown

Mandatory HMO licensing

Applies across England

Source confidence: High
Boundary confidence: Medium
Public register: Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
Last reviewed: 27 March 2026
Next review due: Not scheduled
Sources recorded: 15

Open the official council source

Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.

Recommended next step

Verify the position with the official council source

Our current data shows an active local scheme and a clear area match. The fastest reliable next step is to confirm the current fees, dates, boundaries, and exemptions on the official council source before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action.

Check the official council source Get a written property licensing check

What still adds uncertainty

Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.

Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.

Verify with the council

Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Bexley.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for Bexley

We will email you if Bexley introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.

Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.

If you need more than the council page

This page may already answer a lot of the question. Use the paid products only if you want a quicker written summary, a more risk-focused view, or ongoing monitoring.

Property Licensing Check

£29 · Live now

A property-specific PDF licensing report with a verification email template, current scheme fees, and a £30,000 risk context block — delivered to your inbox automatically.

Continue to secure payment

Licensing Due Diligence Report

£79 · Live now

A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.

Request the report

Alerts and monitoring

£12.99/month · Coming soon

A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.

See alerts and monitoring

These are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.

Check a postcode in Bexley

Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.

Local licensing scheme records

Selective LicensingActive

Selective Licensing Scheme – Belvedere Ward

Belvedere Ward only. Approximately 2,300–2,334 private rented properties in the ward, representing around 32% of all dwellings in the area. Introduced to address antisocial behaviour and poor property conditions within the private rented sector.

Licence fee: £800
Fee guide: Total fee £800, payable in two instalments. Part A (application/processing fee): £340 non-refundable. Part B (enforcement/management fee): £460 payable before licence is granted. Early bird discount of £300 available for properties that were licensed when the previous scheme ended (August 2023), if application made within 3 months of new scheme launch (i.e., by approximately 13 April 2025). Accreditation discount of £50 also available. £300 early bird discount for properties previously licensed under the 2018–2023 scheme applying within 3 months of the new scheme's launch. £50 accreditation discount for landlords accredited with LLAS, NRLA, ARLA, Safeagent, RICS, or UKALA at time of application. Accreditation must be obtained within 12 months of licence issuance if not already held.
Discount available: £300 early bird discount for properties previously licensed under the 2018–2023 scheme applying within 3 months of the new scheme's launch. £50 accreditation discount for landlords accredited with LLAS, NRLA, ARLA, Safeagent, RICS, or UKALA at time of application. Accreditation must be obtained within 12 months of licence issuance if not already held.
Scheme period: 13 January 2025 - 12 January 2030
Typical licence term: Until scheme ends (12 January 2030)
Coverage: Selected wards: Belvedere

Research notes

Designation made on 3 October 2024 by Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing. Applications opened 5 November 2024. Scheme operative from 13 January 2025. As of March 2025, 139 properties had been licensed under this scheme. The council has a duty under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004 to maintain a public register. Estimated ~2,300 properties need licensing in Belvedere Ward. The Belvedere ward was chosen as it met criteria for elevated antisocial behaviour and property conditions (8% of private rented properties with Category 1 hazards). Property types covered: All privately rented residential accommodation in Belvedere Ward let to a single household or two unrelated sharers. Also includes smaller HMOs (3-4 people) within Belvedere Ward that fall outside mandatory HMO licensing. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already subject to mandatory HMO licensing (Part 2). Properties managed by non-profit or profit-making registered social housing providers. Properties subject to Management Orders or Temporary Exemption Notices. Tenancies exempt under Housing Act 2004 Annex B exemptions, including: tenancies from police/fire/health service bodies, university/college accommodation, family member rentals (with evidence), long leasehold (over 21 years), holiday lets, properties leased to local authorities.

Verify on official council page

Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.

Selective LicensingExpired

Previous Selective Licensing Scheme (expired)

Covered four areas: Thamesmead North, Abbey Wood / Lower Belvedere, parts of Erith, and the Manor Road area. Aimed at addressing high private renting levels combined with elevated antisocial behaviour.

Licence fee: £766
Fee guide: Standard fee £766 per property (two instalments). Earlier fee levels: £690 in 2019/20, £730 in 2020/21, £766 in later years. Early bird rate of £371 was available at scheme launch (until 31 December 2018). £50 accreditation discount also available. End-of-scheme fee was approximately £766. £50 accreditation discount. Early bird rate of £371 at scheme launch (until 31 December 2018).
Discount available: £50 accreditation discount. Early bird rate of £371 at scheme launch (until 31 December 2018).
Scheme period: 1 October 2018 - 31 August 2023
Typical licence term: 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

Scheme ran from 1 October 2018 to 31 August 2023 – approximately 5 years. Achieved 2,104 applications (86%) out of an estimated 2,451 licensable properties. Council inspected 310 properties and found 220 with Category 1 and 2 hazards, remediated by formal or informal action. Register listed 1,786 selectively licensed properties in April 2022. Following the scheme's end, Bexley reviewed data and decided that the previous areas no longer met criteria; only Belvedere Ward met criteria for the replacement scheme. Property types covered: All privately rented residential accommodation (single households or two unrelated sharers) in designated areas. Also applied to HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard Housing Act 2004 exemptions.

Verify on official council page

Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.

Public licensing register

Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.

Public register found: Yes
Search method: Download a file (PDF or spreadsheet)
Register usability: Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)

HMOSelective

Appears to cover HMO and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.

Register notes

Two separate CSV files available: 'Public Register of Licensed HMOs' and 'Selective Licensing Public Register'. The register includes the name and address of licence holders and any management agents on the licence. Also includes Temporary Exemption Notices and details of any Interim or Final Management Orders. Maintained under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004. Regularly updated. Contact: rentitright@bexley.gov.uk or 020 8303 7777. Note: the direct register page returned 404 at extraction time (March 2025); the URL is confirmed from search results and official council sources.

Open the public register

The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.

Research summary

These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.

Last reviewed

27 March 2026

Research confidence

High (76/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

Key facts are consistent across multiple sources including the official Bexley Council consultation page, the designation notice page, London Property Licensing, Kamma, Fraser Bond, and NRLA updates. Scheme dates, ward, fee total (£800), Part A (£340) and Part B (£460) split, and application portal URLs are confirmed across sources. The public register page returned 404 at extraction time but its URL and CSV format are confirmed by search results. The absence of additional HMO licensing is confirmed by multiple authoritative sources.

Council contact details

Email: rentitright@bexley.gov.uk
Phone: 020 3045 3456

Important to verify

Exact mandatory HMO fee breakdown into Part A and Part B (fee structure uses base + per-letting model rather than Part A/B)
Mandatory HMO renewal fee structure (one source quotes £340 base + £200 per letting but this may be outdated)
Direct verification of public register CSV download URLs
Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.

Supporting sources

Mandatory HMO licensing

All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from Bexley council.

Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with Bexley council.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

Borough-wide. Applies to properties occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households, including shared houses, bedsits with shared facilities, and properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation. Effective nationally from 1 October 2018 following extension of mandatory licensing to all HMOs regardless of number of storeys.

Fee notes: Variable fee: £320 base fee plus £166 per letting (bedroom). Example: 5-bedroom HMO = £320 + (5 × £166) = £1,150 total. Renewal fee is lower: £340 base plus £200 per letting per one third-party source (may be a variant fee structure). Fees confirmed as of October 2024 and subject to change. Paid in two instalments. £50 discount for landlords accredited with recognised bodies at time of application (LLAS, NRLA, ARLA, Safeagent, RICS, UKALA).
Typical licence term: 5 years
Start date shown: 1 October 2018

As of November 2024, Bexley's public register listed 228 mandatory HMO licences. Bexley introduced a borough-wide Article 4 Direction on 24 September 2017, removing permitted development rights to convert C3 properties to C4 HMOs (3-6 occupants) without planning permission - the first London borough in South East London to do so. Applications submitted via bexley.idoxds.com. Property types covered: HMOs with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households, sharing facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms. Includes shared houses, bedsits, and mixed self-contained/non-self-contained converted buildings. Exemptions or exclusions: Purpose-built self-contained flats in blocks of 3 or more units. Properties managed by registered social landlords. Tenancies from police, fire, or health service bodies. University or college student accommodation. Family member rentals (with evidence). Long leasehold tenancies (over 21 years). Holiday lets. Properties leased to local authorities as temporary housing.

View HMO licensing info on council website

Other compliance requirements

In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts

View full compliance checklist →

Common questions about licensing in Bexley

Do I need a landlord licence in Bexley?: Bexley currently operates selective licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
How much does a property licence cost in Bexley?: Based on our current data, licence fees in Bexley are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: Variable fee: £320 base fee plus £166 per letting (bedroom). Example: 5-bedroom HMO = £320 + (5 × £166) = £1,150 total. Renewal fee is lower: £340 base plus £200 per letting per one third-party source (may be a variant fee structure). Fees confirmed as of October 2024 and subject to change. Paid in two instalments. £50 discount for landlords accredited with recognised bodies at time of application (LLAS, NRLA, ARLA, Safeagent, RICS, UKALA); Selective Licensing Scheme – Belvedere Ward: £800; Previous Selective Licensing Scheme (expired): £766. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Bexley?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Bexley. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Bexley council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in Bexley?: Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.

Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you

Use these routes to move from the Bexley summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.

Landlord with a standard let→

Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.

Shared occupancy or possible HMO→

Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.

Check if a property has an HMO licence→

Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.

Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→

Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.

Letting agent or portfolio manager→

Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.

Understand selective licensing rules→

Read the guide if you want the broader legal background on how selective licensing works alongside this council page.

Need the area-based route→

Use the selective licensing page if the real question is whether a standard rented home sits inside a designated area.

Tenant checking landlord compliance→

Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.

Important disclaimer

This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.