Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Royal Borough of Greenwich
London
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageOur current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.
Selective licensing
Active selectiveAdditional HMO licensing
Active additionalMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- Low
- Public register
- Clear searchable register (1/5)
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 18
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.
What still adds uncertainty
- At least one scheme uses street or custom-area boundaries, so a postcode match can only be approximate.
- 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Council updates
Get updates for Royal Borough of Greenwich
We will email you if Royal Borough of Greenwich introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
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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.
Licensing Due Diligence Report
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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 monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in Royal Borough of Greenwich
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 (Borough-wide) 2024-2028
Discretionary borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme requiring owners and managing agents to licence smaller HMOs with three or more residents from two or more households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Runs alongside the mandatory HMO scheme. Also covers certain section 257 HMOs (converted blocks with less than two-thirds owner-occupation). Scheme approved at Cabinet meeting on 20 September 2023 and came into force 1 January 2024.
- HMO licence fee
- £509
- Fee guide
- £508.50 per letting for the first 5 lettings (maximum £2,542.50 for a 5-unit property), then £305.10 per additional letting beyond 5. Fees are VAT exempt and paid in two stages: first half on application, second half when draft licence is issued. Where a licence from the expired 2017-2022 scheme had lapsed between 30 September 2023 and 1 January 2024, a new application (rather than renewal) was required. 15% discount for licence renewals. 15% discount for landlords who agree to accept a tenant nominated by the council for a minimum of 12 months.
- Discount available
- 15% discount for licence renewals. 15% discount for landlords who agree to accept a tenant nominated by the council for a minimum of 12 months.
- Scheme period
- 1 January 2024 - 31 December 2028
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
This is the second consecutive borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme. The previous scheme (2017-2022) was reviewed in October 2022 by M·E·L Research and found to have been successful, though a significant number of smaller HMOs remained unlicensed. Consultation for the new scheme ran from 13 January to 24 April 2023 (relaunched after a poorly advertised first consultation from 9 November 2022 to 18 January 2023); over 60% of respondents supported the proposal. The scheme was approved 20 September 2023 and implemented 1 January 2024. End date calculated as 5 years from start date (31 December 2028). Property types covered: Smaller HMOs with 3+ occupants from 2+ households sharing amenities; section 257 HMOs (certain converted blocks of flats with less than two-thirds owner-occupation) not already covered by mandatory licensing. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already licensed under mandatory HMO licensing. Properties subject to an Interim or Final Management Order under Part 4 of the Housing Act 2004. Properties subject to a temporary exemption notice under section 62 of the Act. Registered social landlord properties.
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 - Woolwich and Plumstead
Selective licensing scheme covering all privately rented properties let to a single household or two unrelated individuals in five designated wards in central Woolwich and Plumstead. A postcode/address lookup tool is available at royalgreenwich.gov.uk to verify whether a specific property falls within the scheme area. Properties already licensed under mandatory or additional HMO licensing are exempt from selective licensing.
- Licence fee
- £873
- Fee guide
- £872.59 per property. Fees are VAT exempt and paid in two stages: first half on application, second half when draft licence is issued. An early bird discount was available for applications submitted by 31 December 2022. 15% discount for licence renewals. Early bird discount was available for applications submitted during the first three months of the scheme (by 31 December 2022) - no longer available.
- Discount available
- 15% discount for licence renewals. Early bird discount was available for applications submitted during the first three months of the scheme (by 31 December 2022) - no longer available.
- Scheme period
- 1 October 2022 - 30 September 2027
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
The scheme designation report is available at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/downloads/download/1251/selective_licensing_designation_report. The scheme covers areas with above-average concentrations of privately rented properties and was introduced to tackle anti-social behaviour and rogue landlord activity. 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. Landlords in violation may also face unlimited court fines. 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. An address lookup tool is available at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homepage/484/selective_licencing_scheme_lookup. Property types covered: All privately rented properties let to a single household or two unrelated individuals; houses and flats rented to individual families, couples, and single people. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already licensed under mandatory or additional HMO licensing are exempt. Registered social landlord properties are exempt. Properties subject to an Interim or Final Management Order. Properties covered by a temporary exemption notice. Exemptions under SI 2006/370 apply.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Additional LicensingExpired
Additional HMO Licensing (Borough-wide) 2017-2022
First borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme covering smaller HMOs with 3-4 unrelated occupants sharing facilities. Preceded the current 2024-2028 scheme. There was a gap between expiry (30 September 2022) and the start of the replacement scheme (1 January 2024) during which only mandatory HMO licensing applied to smaller HMOs.
- Fee guide
- Historical scheme; fee details not confirmed for the 2017-2022 period.
- Scheme period
- 1 October 2017 - 30 September 2022
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
Independent review by M·E·L Research in October 2022 found the scheme had been successful in improving HMO conditions, reducing anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping, but noted that a significant number of smaller HMOs remained unlicensed. This review informed the decision to introduce a successor scheme. Property types covered: Smaller HMOs with 3-4 unrelated occupants sharing facilities.
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 appears to cover
HMOAdditionalSelective
Appears to cover HMO, additional and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The public register includes all three licence types: Mandatory HMO, Additional HMO, and Selective licences. The PDF register includes licence reference numbers, property addresses, licence holders, ward, start/end dates, and number of units. The MetaStreet online register allows live searching. A February 2026 PDF edition is available for download from the council website.
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 (74/100)
Sources checked
18
Research notes
Data sourced from multiple corroborating official and reputable third-party sources. Selective licensing scheme dates (1 October 2022 to 30 September 2027), wards covered, and fee (£872.59) confirmed from official council news pages, London Property Licensing, and Kamma. Additional HMO scheme start date (1 January 2024), Cabinet approval (20 September 2023), and borough-wide coverage confirmed from official council news pages and London Property Licensing. Previous additional HMO scheme dates (2017-2022) confirmed from multiple sources. HMO fee structure (£508.50 per letting up to 5, then £305.10 per additional) confirmed from London Property Licensing (fees current as of July 2025) and from the council's fees page. Public register URL (greenwich.metastreet.co.uk/public-register) confirmed from London Property Licensing. The additional HMO scheme end date (31 December 2028) is calculated as 5 years from the start date of 1 January 2024; this is consistent with the approved 5-year duration but the exact end date was not directly stated on official pages and is inferred. Kamma data confirms no new schemes are currently planned or under consultation as of August 2024.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 020 8921 8152
Important to verify
- Exact Part 1 / Part 2 fee split amounts for selective and HMO licences (total confirmed but exact split not published in accessible pages)
- Mandatory HMO scheme formal designation start date (national scheme with no local designation start date)
- Whether the 15% council-nominated tenant discount applies to selective licences as well as HMO licences (confirmed for HMO, not explicitly confirmed for selective)
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/housing/letting-out-your-property/check-if-you-need-private-rented-property-licence
- https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200172/housing/2397/selective_licensing_faqs
- https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200290/private_rented_property_licensing/937/apply_for_a_private_rented_property_licence
- https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200290/private_rented_property_licensing/937/apply_for_a_private_rented_property_licence/2
- https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200290/private_rented_property_licensing/936/hmo_guide_for_landlords
- https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/homepage/484/selective_licencing_scheme_lookup
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 Royal Borough of Greenwich.
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 Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
National mandatory licensing scheme under Housing Act 2004, applying borough-wide to HMOs occupied by five or more people forming more than one household who share amenities such as bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities. Also covers section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats that do not meet building regulations).
- HMO fee guide
- £509
- Fee notes
- £508.50 per letting for the first 5 lettings (maximum £2,542.50 for a 5-unit property), then £305.10 per additional letting beyond 5. Fees are VAT exempt and paid in two stages: first half on application, second half when draft licence is issued. 15% discount for licence renewals. 15% discount for landlords who agree to accept a tenant nominated by the council for a minimum of 12 months.
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
National statutory scheme with no designation start or end date. The fee structure is shared with the additional HMO licensing scheme. Property types covered: Large HMOs with 5+ occupants from 2+ households sharing facilities; section 257 HMOs (certain converted blocks of flats not meeting building regulations). Exemptions or exclusions: Properties subject to an Interim or Final Management Order under Part 4 of the Housing Act 2004 properties subject to a temporary exemption notice under section 62 of the Act registered social landlord properties.
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
Common questions about licensing in Royal Borough of Greenwich
- Do I need a landlord licence in Royal Borough of Greenwich?
- Royal Borough of Greenwich 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Royal Borough of Greenwich are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing (Borough-wide) 2024-2028: £509; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £509; Selective Licensing - Woolwich and Plumstead: £873; Additional HMO Licensing (Borough-wide) 2017-2022: Historical scheme; fee details not confirmed for the 2017-2022 period. 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Royal Borough of Greenwich. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Royal Borough of Greenwich for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Royal Borough of Greenwich?
- 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich 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.