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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
London
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageNo active local scheme currently shown in our data, but former scheme records are noted for context.
Selective licensing
No active selective scheme shownAdditional HMO licensing
Former scheme notedMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- Medium
- Boundary confidence
- No active local scheme boundary to assess
- Public register
- Not yet confirmed
- Last reviewed
- 28 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 3
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
Confirm the detail before you rely on it
Our current data gives a useful starting point, but the area match or scheme detail may need confirming. Verify on the official council source, or get a written check if you want a documented answer.
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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
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Check a postcode in Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
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 LicensingExpired
Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Borough-Wide) - Ended
Borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme. Covered: (a) all HMOs occupied by 5+ unrelated people not forming a single household, regardless of storey height; and (b) all HMOs of 3+ storeys occupied by 3+ unrelated individuals. Following the national extension of mandatory HMO licensing on 1 October 2018, the additional scheme's main practical scope became 3+ storey HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 people.
- Fee guide
- £200 per room (1-2 storey properties); £250 per room (3+ storey properties) - fees as at end of scheme 2022/23
- Discount available
- £100 discount for accredited landlords (UKLAP or approved scheme), new applications only.
- Designation date
- 3 November 2017
- Scheme period
- 1 March 2018 - 28 February 2023
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
Scheme designated on 3 November 2017 by council decision (moderngov reference IId=37128). Scheme ran for 5 years: 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2023. Consulted with landlords, tenants, National Landlords Association, Kingston University, and Kingston Student Union across two consultation rounds from November 2011 onwards. The rationale was that the majority of Kingston's housing stock is two storeys in height, so many HMOs were unregulated under the three-storey threshold in the then-mandatory licensing rules. The scheme was also motivated by growth in HMO numbers due to Local Housing Allowance changes (for under-35s) and the high student population. On 1 October 2018, the national mandatory licensing threshold changed to cover all HMOs with 5+ occupants regardless of storeys, substantially reducing the scope of the additional scheme. At peak (May 2019), 611 properties were listed; by March 2023, this had fallen to 430. Licences issued under the scheme remain valid until their expiry date even though the scheme has ended. In January 2023, the council confirmed to London Property Licensing that there were no plans to replace the additional licensing scheme.
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
- Not confirmed
- Search method
- Download a file (PDF or spreadsheet)
- Register usability
- Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
- Register updated
- August 2025
Register appears to cover
HMO
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The register is publicly available at no cost on the council's website. It is updated quarterly. As of August 2025, 397 properties were listed. The register covers properties with active licences or temporary exemptions. At peak of the additional scheme (May 2019), 611 properties were listed; by March 2023 this had fallen to 430.
We do not yet show a direct public register link for this council.
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
28 March 2026
Research confidence
Medium (64/100)
Sources checked
3
Research notes
The licensing history and current status of Kingston upon Thames is well-documented across both official council pages and the authoritative third-party source London Property Licensing. The additional HMO scheme's start date (1 March 2018), end date (28 February 2023), designation date (3 November 2017), and the confirmed absence of plans to replace it (January 2023) are all clearly sourced. Current mandatory-only status is confirmed by both the council website and London Property Licensing as of August 2025. Fees (£285 new, £210 renewal per letting, updated April 2025) are confirmed on the council's own fees page. No selective licensing scheme has ever existed. The main uncertainties are: (1) exact visible fields in the public register PDF; (2) phone number - council website lists 020 8547 5000 (general) while London Property Licensing quotes 020 8547 5003 (specialist team); (3) end date of the additional scheme described as '28 February 2023' by London Property Licensing (possibly March 1 2023 in some sources - minor discrepancy).
Council contact details
- Phone
- 020 8547 5003
Important to verify
- Exact visible fields in the public register PDF
- Whether a new additional HMO licensing consultation was launched after March 2023
- Exact application form download URL
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
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 Kingston upon Thames.
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 Kingston upon Thames.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Borough-wide mandatory HMO licensing as required by national legislation (Housing Act 2004). Applies to all HMOs in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames occupied by 5 or more unrelated people forming 2 or more households who share amenities such as kitchen, bathroom and/or WC.
- Fee notes
- £285 per letting (new application); £210 per letting (renewal)
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years
Applications are submitted by post to the Residential Enforcement and Renewal Team, or by email to privatesectorhousing@kingston.gov.uk. No fully online application system via the council's own portal; the council references gov.uk as an alternative route. Required documents typically include gas safety certificate, electrical safety evidence, smoke alarms, floor plan, and written tenancy terms. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence carrying an unlimited fine. 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. 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. An Assisted HMO Licence Application Service is available from the council. An inspection of the property is required during the licence period.
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 Kingston upon Thames
- Do I need a landlord licence in Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames?
- Our current data does not show active selective or additional licensing schemes in Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. However, 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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £285 per letting (new application); £210 per letting (renewal); Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Borough-Wide) - Ended: £200 per room (1-2 storey properties); £250 per room (3+ storey properties) - fees as at end of scheme 2022/23. 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 Kingston upon Thames?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames?
- 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 Kingston upon Thames 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.