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We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
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This page includes the scheme records we currently hold, but council policies and boundaries can change. Treat it as a researched starting point and verify the latest position on the official council pages before acting.
Based on publicly available information, we show the licensing status we currently hold for Bexley, highlight mandatory HMO rules, and link you to official council sources for verification where we currently have them.
Confirm the current scheme boundary, licence fee, exemptions, application route, and any recent policy changes on the council website before making decisions.
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Bexley.
We research council licensing information from public sources and present it as general guidance. We do not replace the council's own licensing pages or legal advice.
Council updates
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.
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
Live now
A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.
Best for: Best for landlords, agents, and buyers who want written clarity quickly on one case.
Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days
Licensing Due Diligence Report
Coming soon
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Best for: Best for buyers, investors, agents, landlords refinancing, and conveyancers handling material decisions.
Delivery: Analyst-reviewed report with stronger risk framing
Alerts and monitoring
Coming soon
A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.
Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts
These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
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.
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..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
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.
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..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
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.
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..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
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
15
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.
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.
Supporting sources
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.
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.
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..
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
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.
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