Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Croydon?

Our current data does not show an active selective or additional licensing scheme in London Borough of Croydon, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and should still be checked. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies across England to properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more households. Always verify with the council as schemes can change.

How much does a property licence cost in London Borough of Croydon?

Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Croydon are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £285 per habitable room (5-year licence); £194 per habitable room (1-year licence) Two-stage payment: Part A (£171/room for 5-year, £171/room for 1-year) paid at application; Part B (£114/room for 5-year, £23/room for 1-year) paid when licence is ready to issue. Maximum fee cap of £5,707 for 5-year licence. Fees increasing from 1 April 2026. Advisory visit fee: £228. Change of licence holder requires full application fee. Enforcement action: £513 for notice plus £100 per hazard. Fees are non-refundable and licences are non-transferable. No fee discount for accredited landlords; Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2026 (borough-wide): £1,250; Selective Licensing Scheme 2026 (14 wards): £800; Croydon Private Rented Property Licence (CPRPL) - Former Borough-Wide Selective Licensing: £750. 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 London Borough of Croydon?

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

What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Croydon?

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 London Borough of Croydon

London

This enhanced research coverage page currently does not show an active selective or additional licensing scheme for London Borough of Croydon, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and should still be checked with the council. Mandatory HMO licensing can still apply.

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

No active local scheme currently shown in our data, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes may still need checking.

Selective licensing

Proposed scheme noted

Additional HMO licensing

Proposed scheme noted

Mandatory HMO licensing

Applies across England

Source confidence: Medium
Boundary confidence: No active local scheme boundary to assess
Public register: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Last reviewed: 11 May 2026
Next review due: Not scheduled
Sources recorded: 20

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

A change may be coming - follow this council

Our current data does not show an active local scheme here, but proposed or consultation-stage activity has been identified. The position could change, so it is worth tracking updates and verifying with the council before you act.

Follow this council for licensing updates Check the official council source

What still adds uncertainty

Proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and could change the position before or after they start.
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 London Borough of Croydon.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for London Borough of Croydon

We will email you if London Borough of Croydon 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.

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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.

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Licensing Due Diligence Report

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

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Alerts and monitoring

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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 London Borough of Croydon

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

Proposed, consultation or former scheme records

No active local scheme is currently shown in our data, but these records are useful prompts to check the latest council position.

Additional LicensingProposed

Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2026 (borough-wide)

Proposed borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme extending mandatory HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (3-4 occupants) and certain converted flats. Focused on tackling poor property conditions and poor property management.

HMO licence fee: £1,250
Fee guide: The £1,250 fee is reported by third-party sources. Official council pages have not yet published confirmed fee amounts. Discounts reported to be available for accredited landlords. Discounts reported to be available for accredited landlords (details not yet published by council).
Discount available: Discounts reported to be available for accredited landlords (details not yet published by council).
Scheme period: 1 September 2026 - 1 September 2031
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: Borough-wide

Research notes

Croydon Council says the additional HMO licensing scheme is due to come into effect from 1 September 2026. Check the official page for application timing, fees, exemptions and final scheme wording.

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 LicensingProposed

Selective Licensing Scheme 2026 (14 wards)

Proposed selective licensing covering 14 wards, approximately 32,000 privately rented properties (74% of the borough's private rental stock). Intended to address poor property conditions.

Licence fee: £800
Fee guide: The £800 fee is reported by third-party sources (NRLA, Gateway Property Hub, Landlord Zone reports £750). Official council pages have not yet published confirmed fee amounts. Discounts reported to be available for accredited landlords. If approved, implementation target is mid-2026. Discounts reported to be available for accredited landlords (details not yet published by council).
Discount available: Discounts reported to be available for accredited landlords (details not yet published by council).
Scheme period: 1 September 2026 - 1 September 2031
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

Croydon Council says selective licensing will apply in selected wards from 1 September 2026. Applications and final council instructions should be checked on the official page before relying on this.

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

Croydon Private Rented Property Licence (CPRPL) - Former Borough-Wide Selective Licensing

Borough-wide selective licensing scheme covering all privately rented homes in Croydon.

Licence fee: £750
Fee guide: Early-bird fee of £350 was available from 1 July to 30 September 2015. Standard fee of £750 applied from 1 October 2015. A total of 38,596 licences were issued during the scheme. Early-bird discount of £350 (vs £750 standard) was available before scheme launch.
Discount available: Early-bird discount of £350 (vs £750 standard) was available before scheme launch.
Scheme period: 1 October 2015 - 30 September 2020
Typical licence term: 5 years
Coverage: Borough-wide

Research notes

Scheme expired 30 September 2020. Council applied to renew in July 2020 but was rejected by government (then Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick) in June 2021. Property types covered: All privately rented homes in the borough.

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: Search by postcode
Register usability: Clear searchable register (1/5)

HMO

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

Register notes

Free online search by postcode. Also available as paper copy or PDF by post for £57. In-person viewing available at council offices by appointment. Register includes properties licensed under mandatory HMO scheme, Temporary Exemption Notices, and Interim/Final Management Orders. Updated as licences are issued; applications in progress will not appear. Properties of exempt organisations (e.g. registered social housing providers, housing associations) will not appear.

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

11 May 2026

Research confidence

Medium (52/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

Mandatory HMO licensing data is well-documented on official council pages. However, the proposed selective and additional licensing schemes are still at consultation/pending-decision stage, so fees, exact start dates, and discount details are sourced from third-party reporting rather than official council publications. The 14 ward names are consistently reported across multiple third-party sources but not explicitly listed on the council's own web pages (they reference '14 wards' without naming them). Fee amounts vary slightly between sources (£750 vs £800 for selective). The public register exists but field-level details could not be confirmed as the register requires JavaScript interaction.

Council contact details

Email: CPRPLconsultation@croydon.gov.uk

Important to verify

Confirmed selective licensing fee (council source)
Confirmed additional licensing fee (council source)
Selective licensing start and end dates (pending Cabinet decision)
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 London Borough of Croydon.

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 London Borough of Croydon.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

All HMOs occupied by 5 or more people who are not living together as a single household but share facilities. Applies borough-wide as required by national legislation (Housing Act 2004).

Fee notes: £285 per habitable room (5-year licence); £194 per habitable room (1-year licence) Two-stage payment: Part A (£171/room for 5-year, £171/room for 1-year) paid at application; Part B (£114/room for 5-year, £23/room for 1-year) paid when licence is ready to issue. Maximum fee cap of £5,707 for 5-year licence. Fees increasing from 1 April 2026. Advisory visit fee: £228. Change of licence holder requires full application fee. Enforcement action: £513 for notice plus £100 per hazard. Fees are non-refundable and licences are non-transferable. No fee discount for accredited landlords.
Typical licence term: 5 years (standard) or 1 year (where council determines shorter term is appropriate for closer monitoring)

Processing typically takes 12 weeks. Operating without a 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. Criminal prosecution can carry an unlimited fine. Licence conditions document available at https://www.croydon.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-10/mandatory-hmo-licensing-conditions.pdf Property types covered: HMOs with 5 or more occupants forming more than one household who share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities. Includes bedsits, shared houses, converted flats, hostels, bed-and-breakfast establishments (non-holiday), and student accommodation. Exemptions or exclusions: Registered social housing providers and housing associations are exempt. HMOs with 3-4 occupants do not require mandatory licensing but must still meet HMO standards.

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 London Borough of Croydon

Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Croydon?: Our current data does not show an active selective or additional licensing scheme in London Borough of Croydon, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and should still be checked. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies across England to properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more households. Always verify with the council as schemes can change.
How much does a property licence cost in London Borough of Croydon?: Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Croydon are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £285 per habitable room (5-year licence); £194 per habitable room (1-year licence) Two-stage payment: Part A (£171/room for 5-year, £171/room for 1-year) paid at application; Part B (£114/room for 5-year, £23/room for 1-year) paid when licence is ready to issue. Maximum fee cap of £5,707 for 5-year licence. Fees increasing from 1 April 2026. Advisory visit fee: £228. Change of licence holder requires full application fee. Enforcement action: £513 for notice plus £100 per hazard. Fees are non-refundable and licences are non-transferable. No fee discount for accredited landlords; Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2026 (borough-wide): £1,250; Selective Licensing Scheme 2026 (14 wards): £800; Croydon Private Rented Property Licence (CPRPL) - Former Borough-Wide Selective Licensing: £750. 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 London Borough of Croydon?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including London Borough of Croydon. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to London Borough of Croydon for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Croydon?: 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 London Borough of Croydon 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.

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.