Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Medway Council
South East
This enhanced research coverage page currently does not show an active selective or additional licensing scheme for Medway Council, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and should still be checked with the council. Mandatory HMO licensing can still apply.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageNo active local scheme currently shown in our data, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes may still need checking.
Selective licensing
Proposed scheme notedAdditional HMO licensing
Proposed 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
A change may be coming - follow this council
Our current data does not show an active local scheme here, but proposed or consultation-stage activity has been identified. The position could change, so it is worth tracking updates and verifying with the council before you act.
What still adds uncertainty
- Proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and could change the position before or after they start.
- 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 Medway Council.
Council updates
Get updates for Medway Council
We will email you if Medway Council 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 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 Medway Council
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 LicensingProposed
Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Proposed)
Proposed Additional Licensing Scheme targeting HMOs that fall outside the mandatory national licensing threshold (i.e. those with fewer than 5 tenants or other qualifying characteristics not captured under mandatory licensing). The scheme is proposed for six wards in Medway where HMO hazard rates are highest. The six designated wards contain an estimated 658 HMOs. Data shows 36% of HMOs in Chatham Central & Brompton have predicted serious hazards - nearly four times the national average of 10%.
- HMO licence fee
- £1,600
- Fee guide
- £1600
- Discount available
- No discounts or exemptions from the proposed fee have been published as of March 2026. May be confirmed after consultation closes.
- Typical licence term
- Not yet confirmed. Likely 5 years (standard maximum under Housing Act 2004).
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Watling
Research notes
Public consultation opened 23 March 2026 and closes 31 May 2026. Paper copies of consultation materials are available by calling 01634 333 333 or emailing PRSConsultations@Medway.gov.uk. Following the consultation, the council will review responses and decide whether to proceed with formal designation. The scheme has not yet been approved by Cabinet. Evidence base: 339 tenant complaints and 101 anti-social behaviour incidents involving HMOs recorded over five years in the affected wards. Feasibility study was commissioned in early 2025 (contract start: 28 February 2025).
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 LicensingProposed
Selective Licensing Scheme (Proposed)
Proposed Selective Licensing Scheme requiring all private landlords (not just HMO landlords) to licence their rental properties in seven specified wards. These seven wards are estimated to cover approximately 52% of Medway's private rented sector. The council received 2,154 complaints from private rented sector tenants (excluding known HMOs) across these seven wards over a five-year period, evidencing a high level of housing standard and management problems.
- Licence fee
- £840
- Fee guide
- £840
- Discount available
- No discounts or exemptions from the proposed fee have been published as of March 2026. May be confirmed after consultation closes.
- Typical licence term
- Not yet confirmed. Standard maximum is 5 years.
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North & Frindsbury, Watling
Research notes
Public consultation opened 23 March 2026 and closes 31 May 2026. A November 2026 launch is reported in trade press (LandlordZone), with review of consultation responses expected in April 2026. Paper copies of consultation materials available by calling 01634 333 333 or emailing PRSConsultations@Medway.gov.uk. The scheme has not yet been approved by Cabinet and has not been formally designated. Cllr Louwella Prenter, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, has publicly supported the proposals. The seven wards cover approximately 52% of Medway's PRS. A feasibility study contract started 28 February 2025.
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 appears to cover
HMO
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The Housing Act 2004 requires all local authorities to maintain and hold a public register of all registered HMOs. Medway publishes a redacted XLSX version online. The full register is available for inspection at Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham by appointment (contact hmo@medway.gov.uk). The register cannot be used for marketing purposes without permission from the council.
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 (67/100)
Sources checked
3
Research notes
Mandatory HMO licensing details (fees, application process, contact information, public register) are confirmed from multiple official Medway Council web pages. The proposed Additional and Selective Licensing Scheme details (ward coverage, proposed fees, consultation dates) are confirmed from the official Medway Council news article and corroborated by multiple independent trade press sources (LandlordZone, KentOnline, Medway Property News). The proposed November 2026 launch date for the Selective Licensing Scheme comes from trade press (LandlordZone) rather than an official council source and should be treated as indicative. No formal designation date or Cabinet approval date was found. Fee structures for the proposed schemes are subject to change before formal designation. Exemptions and discounts for the proposed schemes have not yet been published. The mandatory HMO fee schedule is confirmed directly from the official fees page.
Council contact details
- hmo@medway.gov.uk
- Phone
- 01634 333333
- Address
- Private Sector Housing Team, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR
Important to verify
- Formal Cabinet approval date for proposed Additional and Selective Licensing Schemes
- Confirmed start date for proposed Additional HMO Licensing Scheme
- Confirmed start date for proposed Selective Licensing Scheme (trade press reports November 2026 but not confirmed officially)
- 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 Medway 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 Medway Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Borough-wide mandatory licensing for all HMOs with 5 or more tenants forming 2 or more households who share facilities such as toilets, bathrooms, or kitchens. This is the national mandatory scheme under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 (as amended from 1 October 2018 to remove the three-storey threshold), applying across all 24 wards of Medway.
- HMO fee guide
- £1,305
- Fee notes
- £1305.3
- Typical licence term
- Maximum 5 years per licence.
- Start date shown
- 1 April 2006
Applications are submitted by email to hmo@medway.gov.uk or by post to the Private Sector Housing Team, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR. Separate forms exist for new applications and renewals, both available to download from the council website. Fee is paid separately from the application. The full public HMO register is held at the Gun Wharf offices; viewing is by appointment arranged via hmo@medway.gov.uk. A redacted downloadable version is available on the 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
Common questions about licensing in Medway Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Medway Council?
- Our current data does not show an active selective or additional licensing scheme in Medway Council, but proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and should still be checked. 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 Medway Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Medway Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,305; Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Proposed): £1,600; Selective Licensing Scheme (Proposed): £840. 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 Medway Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Medway Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Medway Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Medway Council?
- 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 Medway Council 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.