Property Licensing Check
£29 · Live now
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.
Continue to secure paymentEnhanced research coverage
Council websiteLandlord licensing in London Borough of Hillingdon
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
No active selective scheme shownAdditional HMO licensing
Active additionalMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- High
- Public register
- Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 20
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
- 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 Hillingdon.
Council updates
Get updates for London Borough of Hillingdon
We will email you if London Borough of Hillingdon 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
£79 · Live now
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Request the reportAlerts and monitoring
£12.99/month · Coming soon
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 London Borough of Hillingdon
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 additional licensing scheme covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) occupied by three or four people from two or more households sharing facilities, that fall outside the scope of mandatory HMO licensing. Covers shared houses, shared flats, and bedsit HMOs. Excludes all Section 257 HMOs (converted buildings where the conversion did not comply with Building Regulations and less than two-thirds of flats are owner-occupied).
- HMO licence fee
- £1,401
- Fee guide
- Fee for financial year 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027: £1,401 per property. Payable in two instalments: Part A £934 payable on application; Part B £467 payable on successful grant of the licence. A 10% discount is available for accredited landlords and managing agents. 10% discount (approximately £140) for accredited landlords and managing agents. Specific accreditation schemes accepted were not specified in available sources - contact privatesectorhousing@hillingdon.gov.uk for details.
- Discount available
- 10% discount (approximately £140) for accredited landlords and managing agents. Specific accreditation schemes accepted were not specified in available sources - contact privatesectorhousing@hillingdon.gov.uk for details.
- Scheme period
- 24 August 2026 - 23 August 2031
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (scheme duration is 5 years from 24 August 2026 to approximately 23 August 2031). The council may issue a licence for a shorter period where it has concerns about the management, use, condition, or occupation of the property.
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
Approved by Cabinet on 19 February 2026 following a 10-week public consultation held 31 October 2025 to 11 January 2026, which received over 1,000 responses - 80% backed the introduction of additional licensing. The scheme was developed in response to: a 7.8% increase in private renting between 2011 and 2021 (second-largest rise in London); nearly 4,000 anti-social behaviour complaints linked to HMOs since 2020; and the existence of approximately 1,800 estimated 'hidden HMOs' not captured by mandatory licensing. The scheme works alongside the borough-wide Article 4 Direction that took effect 10 December 2025, which requires planning permission for change of use from C3 (single family dwelling) to C4 (HMO). Applications are accepted from 20 May 2026 to 23 August 2026. All landlords of in-scope HMOs must have applied by 23 August 2026 (the day before the scheme starts). As of March 2026, the scheme had been approved but not yet commenced; this scheme status is 'approved_not_yet_active'. Property types covered: HMOs occupied by three or four people from two or more households who share kitchen, bathroom, or toilet facilities. Includes shared houses, shared flats, and bedsit HMOs. Specifically excludes Section 257 HMOs (properties converted into self-contained flats where: the conversion did not comply with the relevant Building Regulations at the time and still does not comply, and less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied). Exemptions or exclusions: All Section 257 HMOs (converted buildings with self-contained flats that did not meet Building Regulations, where less than two-thirds are owner-occupied) are excluded from this scheme. Properties requiring mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupants) are excluded. Standard national additional licensing exemptions 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.
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
- Download a file (PDF or spreadsheet)
- Register usability
- Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
- Register updated
- April 2025
Register appears to cover
HMOAdditional
Appears to cover HMO and additional licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The register is publicly downloadable as a PDF from the council website. As of April 2025 the register contained approximately 736 properties. The register covers mandatory HMO licences only; the additional licensing register will not be available until the scheme launches in August 2026. An FOI request published on WhatDoTheyKnow also sought a register, indicating the PDF is the primary public access method. The register is also listed on data.gov.uk: https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/e5d7c4b6-2527-407c-bcff-23401e4c463e/hmo-register5
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 (76/100)
Sources checked
20
Research notes
Key facts are confirmed across multiple sources: the mandatory HMO fee of £1,577 (Part A £1,051.32, Part B £525.68) is confirmed by the official Hillingdon Council fees page (pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/hmo/apply-hmo-licence/3) and corroborated by London Property Licensing. The additional HMO licensing scheme fee of £1,401 (Part A £934, Part B £467) is confirmed by the official Hillingdon Council news article (pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/news/article/259), London Property Licensing, and multiple property industry sources. The scheme launch date of 24 August 2026, Cabinet approval date of 19 February 2026, consultation dates, and the Section 257 exclusion are all consistently reported. The absence of any selective licensing scheme is confirmed both by official sources and third-party sources. The public register (PDF, ~736 properties as of April 2025) and its URL are confirmed. The mandatory HMO 'no discount' conclusion is confirmed by London Property Licensing explicitly noting there is no accredited landlord discount for mandatory licensing in Hillingdon.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01895 556 483
Important to verify
- Exact start date of the current mandatory HMO licensing scheme (the 2018-10-01 date reflects the national extension of mandatory licensing; Hillingdon may have had a scheme from 2006 - this was not confirmed)
- Whether the mandatory HMO fee will increase for 2026-27 (fees are set annually; the £1,577 figure is for 2025-26)
- Whether additional HMO licence Part A/Part B breakdown for the additional scheme is confirmed on the official fees page (the £934/£467 split is confirmed by London Property Licensing and the council's own news release but the fees page only showed the total £1,401 at time of extraction)
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/hmo
- https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/hmo/apply-hmo-licence
- https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/hmo/apply-hmo-licence/2
- https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/hmo/apply-hmo-licence/3
- https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/news/article/259/council-introduces-new-hmo-licensing-scheme
- https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/news/article/29/council-to-explore-tightening-controls-on-hmo-landlords
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 Hillingdon.
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 Hillingdon.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Borough-wide mandatory licensing scheme applying to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) occupied by five or more people from two or more households sharing facilities. Covers shared houses, shared flats, bedsit-style properties, properties converted into self-contained units (Section 254 tests: standard test, self-contained flat test, and converted building test under the Housing Act 2004).
- HMO fee guide
- £1,577
- Fee notes
- Fee for financial year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026: £1,577 total. Payable in two instalments: Part A £1,051.32 payable on application; Part B £525.68 payable on successful grant of the licence. No accredited landlord discount is offered for mandatory HMO licensing. No discounts available. Unlike the council's forthcoming additional licensing scheme, Hillingdon does not offer an accredited landlord discount for mandatory HMO licences.
- 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 applied only to 3+ storey properties). Not a local designation; no end date. As of May 2025, Hillingdon's public register listed 736 licensed mandatory HMO properties, against an estimated 2,500 licensable HMOs in the borough, suggesting significant non-compliance. The council estimates approximately 2,537 HMOs in the borough overall, of which 74% are estimated to be unlicensed (including smaller HMOs not yet subject to additional licensing). Property types covered: Properties occupied by five or more people who are not all related and live in the property as their main home, sharing kitchen, bathroom, or toilet facilities. Includes: shared houses and flats, properties converted into bedsits or non-self-contained units, residential premises above shops. Applies to properties meeting the Section 254 Housing Act 2004 standard test, self-contained flat test, or converted building test. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard national mandatory HMO licensing exemptions apply. Properties with fewer than five occupants are not covered (these will fall under additional licensing from August 2026). Section 257 HMOs (purpose-built blocks of self-contained flats) are excluded from mandatory licensing under the standard HMO definition.
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 London Borough of Hillingdon
- Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Hillingdon?
- London Borough of Hillingdon currently operates 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 Hillingdon?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Hillingdon are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing Scheme: £1,401; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,577. 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 Hillingdon?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including London Borough of Hillingdon. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to London Borough of Hillingdon for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Hillingdon?
- 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 Hillingdon 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 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.