Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Havering
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
- 16
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 Havering.
Council updates
Get updates for Havering
We will email you if Havering 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.
Licensing Due Diligence Report
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A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Request the reportAlerts 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 monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in Havering
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)
Borough-wide. Covers most HMOs that fall outside mandatory HMO licensing, including shared houses, shared flats, and bedsit HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 people. Also includes section 257 HMOs (converted buildings where less than two-thirds of units are owner-occupied and conversions did not comply with Building Regulations).
- HMO licence fee
- £1,400
- Fee guide
- Total fee £1,400. Part A (£840) is charged upon application and covers processing, administration and validation. Part B (£560) is charged once the decision to grant the licence is made and covers administration, management and enforcement costs. Applications opened 25 January 2026. Accredited landlord discount: £100 off Part B fee. EPC discount: £75 off Part B fee for properties with an EPC rating of Band C or above (all supporting documents must be provided at application). Multiple property discount: £100 per dwelling in the same building under common ownership and management (from 1 April 2023). Discounts are not applicable where the council has served a warning letter for failure to licence the property.
- Discount available
- Accredited landlord discount: £100 off Part B fee. EPC discount: £75 off Part B fee for properties with an EPC rating of Band C or above (all supporting documents must be provided at application). Multiple property discount: £100 per dwelling in the same building under common ownership and management (from 1 April 2023). Discounts are not applicable where the council has served a warning letter for failure to licence the property.
- Scheme period
- 18 March 2026 - 17 March 2031
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
Cabinet approved 10 December 2025. Replaces the previous additional licensing scheme (2021-2026) which was restricted to 6 wards. The new scheme significantly expands to borough-wide coverage. Estimated ~10,474 properties requiring additional and selective licences combined (February 2026 estimate). Consultation ran 14 April – 6 July 2025 (12 weeks); 59% of respondents agreed with the additional HMO licensing proposal, 31% disagreed. Property types covered: HMOs occupied by 3-4 unrelated persons sharing amenities (cooking and/or washing facilities). Also includes section 257 HMOs - converted blocks of flats that do not meet Building Regulations 1991 or subsequent regulations and where less than two-thirds of flats are owner-occupied. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties subject to mandatory HMO licensing social housing properties subject to management orders properties subject to Temporary Exemption Notices.
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 Scheme
Covers 7 designated wards. Applies to all privately rented properties not already subject to mandatory or additional HMO licensing - i.e., single households or two unrelated sharers.
- Licence fee
- £950
- Fee guide
- Total fee £950. Part A (£570) is charged upon application. Part B (£380) is charged once the decision to grant the licence is made. Applications opened 25 January 2026. Accredited landlord discount: £100 off Part B fee (valid credentials/certificate required at time of application). EPC discount: £75 off Part B fee for properties with EPC Band C or above (all supporting documents must be supplied at application; council will make two attempts to obtain documents before discount becomes void). Multiple property discount: £100 per dwelling in the same building under common ownership and management (from 1 April 2023). Discounts not applicable where a warning letter for failure to licence has been issued.
- Discount available
- Accredited landlord discount: £100 off Part B fee (valid credentials/certificate required at time of application). EPC discount: £75 off Part B fee for properties with EPC Band C or above (all supporting documents must be supplied at application; council will make two attempts to obtain documents before discount becomes void). Multiple property discount: £100 per dwelling in the same building under common ownership and management (from 1 April 2023). Discounts not applicable where a warning letter for failure to licence has been issued.
- Scheme period
- 18 March 2026 - 17 March 2031
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Cabinet approved 10 December 2025. Replaces the previous selective licensing scheme (2021-2026) which covered only 2 wards (Brooklands and Romford Town). The new scheme significantly expands to 7 wards. Consultation ran 14 April – 6 July 2025; 41% agreed with selective licensing proposal, 47% disagreed. A postcode checker is available on the council website to determine if a property falls within a designated ward. A ward map/checker is available via the 'Find Your Councillor' tool on the council's website. Property types covered: All privately rented residential accommodation occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers, not otherwise subject to mandatory or additional HMO licensing. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties subject to mandatory HMO licensing properties subject to additional HMO licensing social housing from registered providers properties subject to management orders properties covered by a Temporary Exemption Notice.
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
First Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (2018-2023, expired)
Covered 12 wards across the borough.
- Fee guide
- Fee amount for this first scheme not confirmed from sources reviewed.
- Scheme period
- 1 March 2018 - 1 March 2023
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
This was the council's first additional licensing scheme (Scheme 1). The concentration of HMOs in areas like Romford Town (27.5% of housing stock) and Brooklands (26.5%) prompted the scheme, driven by 61% of inspected HMOs failing to meet management standards. Exact start and end dates approximate. Property types covered: HMOs in the designated wards requiring additional licensing beyond mandatory HMO requirements.
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
Previous Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (2021-2026, expired)
Covered 6 wards in the south and east of the borough (Cranham, Emerson Park, Hacton, Hylands, Saint Andrews, and Upminster).
- HMO licence fee
- £900
- Fee guide
- Standard fee £900. Accredited landlord discount of £35 off the fee. No Part A/Part B split documented for this earlier scheme. £35 discount for accredited landlords.
- Discount available
- £35 discount for accredited landlords.
- Scheme period
- 25 January 2021 - 24 January 2026
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
This was the council's second additional licensing scheme (Scheme 2). The first additional licensing scheme (Scheme 1, from March 2018) covered 12 wards: Brooklands, Elm Park, Gooshays, Harold Wood, Havering Park, Heaton, Mawneys, Pettits, Rainham & Wennington, Romford Town, South Hornchurch, and Squirrels Heath - and expired circa March 2023. Property types covered: HMOs occupied by 3 or more unrelated persons sharing basic amenities. Also included section 257 HMOs.
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 (2021-2026, expired)
Covered 2 wards: Brooklands and Romford Town. Estimated to cover approximately 5,000 private rented properties.
- Licence fee
- £900
- Fee guide
- Standard fee £900. Accredited landlord discount of £35. This represented the joint highest selective licensing fee in London at the time. £35 discount for accredited landlords.
- Discount available
- £35 discount for accredited landlords.
- Scheme period
- 25 January 2021 - 24 January 2026
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
As of January 2025, the public register listed 3,206 selective licences, 69 additional licences, and 255 mandatory HMO licences under this and the concurrent additional scheme. There was a gap from 24 January 2026 to 17 March 2026 where no selective or additional licensing was in force. Property types covered: All privately rented properties in the designated wards, not subject to mandatory HMO licensing.
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)
- Register updated
- January 2025
Register appears to cover
HMOAdditionalSelective
Appears to cover HMO, additional and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
Searchable by postcode. Contains licensed properties under the Housing Act 2004, Temporary Exemption Notices served, and Interim/Final Management Orders. Requires JavaScript. Continuously updated. As of January 2025, the register listed 255 mandatory HMO licences, 69 additional licences, and 3,206 selective licences.
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 (79/100)
Sources checked
16
Research notes
Key facts (new scheme dates, wards, fees, consultation results, cabinet approval) are consistent across multiple official and third-party sources. Official Havering news pages, the Citizen Space consultation page, London Property Licensing, Kamma, and Fraser Bond all corroborate core data. Mandatory HMO fee of £1,329 (up to 5 lettings, up to £2,130 for 20+ lettings) is confirmed by London Property Licensing and Kamma. Part A/Part B splits for selective (£570/£380) and additional HMO (£840/£560) confirmed by London Property Licensing and web search results citing the Cabinet report. Some uncertainty exists around exact wards covered by the 2021-2026 additional scheme (6 vs 9 wards across different sources).
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01708 432006
Important to verify
- Full mandatory HMO fee schedule by number of rooms/lettings (only base and maximum confirmed)
- Mandatory HMO Part A/Part B fee breakdown (two instalments confirmed but split not itemised)
- Exact start date of the first additional licensing scheme (approximate March 2018)
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.havering.gov.uk/news/article/1737/new-property-licensing-schemes-launched
- https://www.havering.gov.uk/news/article/1672/new-property-licensing-schemes-to-provide-good-private-rented-homes-for-local-people-
- https://www.havering.gov.uk/news/article/1558/last-chance-to-have-your-say-on-council-s-private-rented-property-licensing-scheme-consultation
- https://www.havering.gov.uk/news/article/1514/promoting-good-private-rented-housing-for-local-people
- https://housingpropertylicence.havering.gov.uk/
- https://consultation.havering.gov.uk/premises-licences/lbh-selective-and-additional-licensing/
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 Havering 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 Havering council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Borough-wide. Applies to properties occupied by 5 or more people not all related, who share amenities and live as their main residence. Covers shared houses, bedsits with shared facilities, and mixed self-contained/non-self-contained converted buildings.
- HMO fee guide
- £1,329
- Fee notes
- £1,329 for properties with up to 5 lettings. Fee scales up to approximately £2,130 for 20 or more lettings. Fee is paid in two instalments. No accredited landlord discount applies to mandatory HMO licences. Full room-count fee schedule available from the council. No discount for accredited landlords on mandatory HMO licences.
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Start date shown
- 1 October 2018
Ongoing national mandatory scheme under Housing Act 2004. Mandatory licensing was extended nationally from 1 October 2018 to include properties with 5+ occupants in any storey configuration (previously required 3+ storeys). Minimum room sizes apply for HMOs: 4.64m² (child under 10), 6.51m² (one person over 10), 10.22m² (two persons over 10). Property types covered: HMOs with 5+ occupants from 2+ households. Includes shared houses, student housing, bedsits with shared facilities, mixed self-contained/non-self-contained conversions. Covers standard test, self-contained flat test, and converted building test HMOs under section 254 of the Housing Act 2004. Exemptions or exclusions: Purpose-built self-contained flats in blocks of 3 or more units are exempt from mandatory HMO licensing.
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 Havering
- Do I need a landlord licence in Havering?
- Havering 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 Havering?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Havering are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Borough-wide): £1,400; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,329; Selective Licensing Scheme: £950; First Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (2018-2023, expired): Fee amount for this first scheme not confirmed from sources reviewed; Previous Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (2021-2026, expired): £900; Previous Selective Licensing Scheme (2021-2026, expired): £900. 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 Havering?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Havering. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Havering council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Havering?
- 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 Havering 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.