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

London Borough of Ealing currently operates selective licensing and additional HMO 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 London Borough of Ealing?

Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Ealing are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing Scheme: £1,300; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,500; Selective Licensing Designation 1: £750; Selective Licensing Designation 2: £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 Ealing?

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

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

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 Ealing

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

Active additional

Mandatory HMO licensing

Applies across England

Source confidence: High
Boundary confidence: Medium
Public register: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Last reviewed: 27 March 2026
Next review due: Not scheduled
Sources recorded: 13

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 London Borough of Ealing.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for London Borough of Ealing

We will email you if London Borough of Ealing 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

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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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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.

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

Check a postcode in London Borough of Ealing

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

Additional LicensingActive

Additional HMO Licensing Scheme

Borough-wide scheme covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) occupied by 3 or 4 unrelated people from 2 or more households sharing facilities, and Section 257 HMOs (buildings converted into 3 or more self-contained flats where conversion did not meet Building Regulations and all flats are under the same or effectively the same ownership or control and are privately rented).

HMO licence fee: £1,300
Fee guide: Current fee (as at July 2025): £1,300 per property plus £50 per habitable room. The fee at scheme launch in April 2022 was £1,100 plus £50 per habitable room (with an early-bird 25% discount available for applications in the first 3 months). Fee has since increased to £1,300. £75 discount for accredited landlords (LLAS, NRLA, Safeagent, ARLA/PropertyMark). £50 discount for properties with EPC rating A–C. 10% discount when licensing two or more flats in same building under same ownership. Note: early-bird 25% discount for applications April–July 2022 has expired.
Discount available: £75 discount for accredited landlords (LLAS, NRLA, Safeagent, ARLA/PropertyMark). £50 discount for properties with EPC rating A–C. 10% discount when licensing two or more flats in same building under same ownership. Note: early-bird 25% discount for applications April–July 2022 has expired.
Scheme period: 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2027
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: Borough-wide

Research notes

Designated alongside Selective Designation 1 following 2021 consultation and December 2021 Cabinet approval. Introduced to tackle serious safety hazards and poor management in smaller HMOs below the mandatory licensing threshold. Ealing's stock condition modelling found 22% of private rented properties had one or more Category 1 hazards, against a national average of ~13%. Property types covered: HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet (i.e. smaller HMOs not captured by mandatory licensing). Also includes Section 257 HMOs: buildings converted into 3 or more self-contained flats where the conversion did not comply with relevant Building Regulations, and all or effectively all flats in the building are privately rented under the same ownership or control. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties with 5 or more occupants fall under mandatory HMO licensing. Exempt Section 257 HMOs excluded. Standard national exemptions apply.

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 LicensingActive

Selective Licensing Designation 1

Covers three wards based on pre-May 2022 ward boundaries: East Acton, Southall Broadway, and Southall Green. Applies to all privately rented self-contained residential properties let to a single household or two unrelated sharers.

Licence fee: £750
Fee guide: Flat fee of £750 per property for a 5-year licence. An early-bird 25% discount applied for applications submitted between 1 April and 1 July 2022 (now expired). £75 discount for accredited landlords (LLAS, NRLA, Safeagent, ARLA/PropertyMark). £50 discount for properties with EPC rating A–C. 10% discount when licensing two or more flats in the same building under the same ownership at the same time (accredited landlord and EPC discounts apply to first flat only in a block).
Discount available: £75 discount for accredited landlords (LLAS, NRLA, Safeagent, ARLA/PropertyMark). £50 discount for properties with EPC rating A–C. 10% discount when licensing two or more flats in the same building under the same ownership at the same time (accredited landlord and EPC discounts apply to first flat only in a block).
Scheme period: 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2027
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: Selected wards: East Acton (pre-May 2022 boundary), Southall Broadway (pre-May 2022 boundary), Southall Green (pre-May 2022 boundary)

Research notes

Designated following a public consultation (10 May–16 August 2021) and Cabinet approval in December 2021. Introduced to address poor housing conditions, anti-social behaviour, and rogue landlords in designated areas. The three wards were identified as having high concentrations of private rented properties with Category 1 hazards. Property types covered: Self-contained residential properties let to a single person, single household, or two unrelated sharers. Not HMOs (those fall under additional or mandatory licensing). Exemptions or exclusions: Standard national exemptions apply. HMOs requiring mandatory or additional licensing are excluded. Properties outside designated ward boundaries are excluded.

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 LicensingActive

Selective Licensing Designation 2

Covers 12 further wards based on pre-May 2022 ward boundaries: Acton Central, Dormers Wells, Greenford Broadway, Greenford Green, Hanger Hill, Hobbayne, Lady Margaret, North Greenford, Northolt Mandeville, Northolt West End, Perivale, and South Acton. Described as the largest such scheme in west London at its launch. Applies to all privately rented self-contained properties let to a single household or two unrelated sharers.

Licence fee: £750
Fee guide: Flat fee of £750 per property for a 5-year licence. £75 discount for accredited landlords (LLAS, NRLA, Safeagent, ARLA/PropertyMark). £50 discount for properties with EPC rating A–C. 10% discount when licensing two or more flats in the same building under the same ownership at the same time.
Discount available: £75 discount for accredited landlords (LLAS, NRLA, Safeagent, ARLA/PropertyMark). £50 discount for properties with EPC rating A–C. 10% discount when licensing two or more flats in the same building under the same ownership at the same time.
Scheme period: 3 January 2023 - 2 January 2028
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: Selected wards: Acton Central (pre-May 2022 boundary), Dormers Wells (pre-May 2022 boundary), Greenford Broadway (pre-May 2022 boundary), Greenford Green (pre-May 2022 boundary), Hanger Hill (pre-May 2022 boundary), Hobbayne (pre-May 2022 boundary), Lady Margaret (pre-May 2022 boundary), North Greenford (pre-May 2022 boundary), Northolt Mandeville (pre-May 2022 boundary), Northolt West End (pre-May 2022 boundary), Perivale (pre-May 2022 boundary), South Acton (pre-May 2022 boundary)

Research notes

Required Secretary of State confirmation as it covers a substantial portion of the private rented sector. Hailed as west London's largest property licensing scheme at launch. As of a council review at approximately March 2024, approximately 16,696 licences had been granted across all schemes with ~9,730 applications pending determination. Property types covered: Self-contained residential properties let to a single person, single household, or two unrelated sharers. Not HMOs. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard national exemptions apply. HMOs requiring mandatory or additional licensing are excluded.

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 online
Register usability: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Register updated: November 2022

HMOAdditionalSelective

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

Register notes

The Housing Act 2004 requires every local authority to maintain a public register of licensed properties. Ealing's register includes: licensed properties, Temporary Exemption Notices (TENs), Interim Management Orders, and Final Management Orders. The register is updated as new licences are issued. Printed or emailed copies of sections of the register can be requested from PRSlicensing@ealing.gov.uk at a tiered cost: single page to 25% = £25; 25–50% = £50; 50–75% = £75; 75–100% = £100. As of November 2022 (an early snapshot), the register contained approximately 1,511 mandatory HMO licences, 189 additional licences, and 3,427 selective licences (5,127 total). By approximately March 2024, approximately 16,696 licences had been granted in total across all schemes.

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 (84/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

Fee figures (£750 selective, £1,300 additional HMO, £1,500 mandatory HMO) are consistently confirmed across multiple sources including the official fee schedule PDF URL, londonpropertylicensing.co.uk, kammadata.com, and multiple council sub-pages. Scheme dates and ward coverage for both selective designations are confirmed by official council sources and third-party aggregators. The additional licensing scheme end date (March 2027) and Selective Designation 2 end date (January 2028) are confirmed. The public register URL and access method are confirmed from official council pages.

Council contact details

Email: prslicensing@ealing.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8825 9512

Important to verify

Exact fee amounts at time of renewal (fees may change before scheme expiry in 2027/2028)
Confirmation of whether the per-habitable-room supplement applies uniformly to both renewal and new applications
Official confirmation of whether Section 257 HMO licensing fee differs from the standard additional licensing fee (one source referenced £1,100 for Section 257 vs £1,300 additional - could not be fully confirmed from currently available sources)
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 Ealing.

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 Ealing.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

National mandatory scheme applying borough-wide to all HMOs with 5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing facilities, including bedsit-style properties, properties above shops, shared houses and flats, and purpose-built flat blocks of no more than two units.

HMO fee guide: £1,500
Fee notes: Current fee (as at July 2025): £1,500 plus £50 per habitable room. For example, a 5-bedroom shared house costs £1,500 base; additional bedrooms attract the £50 per-room supplement. Prior to October 2018, mandatory HMO licensing only applied to properties of 3 or more storeys. £75 discount for accredited landlords (LLAS, NRLA, Safeagent, ARLA/PropertyMark). £50 discount for properties with EPC rating A–C.
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Start date shown: 1 October 2018

National mandatory scheme under the Housing Act 2004, extended from 1 October 2018 to cover all HMOs with 5+ occupants regardless of number of storeys (previously only 3+ storey properties). Not a local designation; no end date. Ealing's fee for mandatory licensing is among the higher rates in London. Property types covered: Properties with 5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Covers: converted buildings with bedsits or non-self-contained units, residential premises above shops, shared houses and flats, and purpose-built flat blocks of no more than two flats. Includes the standard test, self-contained flat test, and converted building test under section 254 Housing Act 2004. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard national mandatory HMO exemptions apply.

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 Ealing

Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Ealing?: London Borough of Ealing currently operates selective licensing and additional HMO 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 London Borough of Ealing?: Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Ealing are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing Scheme: £1,300; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,500; Selective Licensing Designation 1: £750; Selective Licensing Designation 2: £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 Ealing?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including London Borough of Ealing. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to London Borough of Ealing for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Ealing?: 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 Ealing 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.

Understand additional licensing rules→

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

Need the local HMO route→

Use the additional licensing page if the real question is whether a smaller shared house needs a local licence here.

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.