Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Newham?

London Borough of Newham 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 London Borough of Newham?

Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Newham are approximately: Newham Additional HMO Licensing Scheme: £1,250; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,400 to £6,350+ Fees scale by number of lettings in the HMO. Paper application incurs additional £100. Accredited landlord association member: £50 reduction. Accredited member with EPC C or better: additional £50 reduction; Newham Selective Licensing Scheme (Third Designation): £750. 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 Newham?

Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including London Borough of Newham. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to London Borough of Newham for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.

What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Newham?

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.

Enhanced research coverage

Landlord licensing in London Borough of Newham

London

We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.

Selective licensing

Active selective

Additional HMO licensing

Active additional

Mandatory 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: 15

Open the official council source

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.

Check the official council source Get a written property licensing check

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 London Borough of Newham.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for London Borough of Newham

We will email you if London Borough of Newham 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.

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.

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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 report

Alerts 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 monitoring

These are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.

Check a postcode in London Borough of Newham

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

Newham Additional HMO Licensing Scheme

Properties let to three or four people consisting of two or more households sharing facilities, across all wards except Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park

HMO licence fee: £1,250
Fee guide: Fee taken in two parts: Part A £400, Part B £850. Paper application incurs additional £100. New-build properties (never previously occupied): £800 (Part A £250, Part B £550). Accredited landlord discounts also apply.
Discount available: New-build properties (never previously occupied): £800 (Part A £250, Part B £550). Accredited landlord discounts also apply.
Designation date: 16 September 2022
Scheme period: 1 January 2023 - end date not confirmed
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

Council began accepting renewal applications from 1 October 2022. Planning permission (C4 use classification) required for HMOs. Licensing fees are non-refundable if planning permission is denied. Property types covered: Houses in multiple occupation shared by 3 or 4 people forming 2 or more households with shared facilities (kitchen/bathroom). Includes shared houses, bedsits, converted flats, and bed-and-breakfast/hostel accommodation used as permanent residence. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties may qualify for exemptions under Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004. Detailed exemptions in the council's Public Notice Designation document. Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park wards excluded.

Verify on official council page

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

Newham Selective Licensing Scheme (Third Designation)

All privately rented properties within the London Borough of Newham that are not Mandatory or Additional HMOs, covering 22 of 24 wards. This is the third consecutive 5-year borough-wide selective licensing scheme.

Licence fee: £750
Fee guide: Fee taken in two parts: Part A £400, Part B £350. Paper application incurs additional £100. Multi-dwelling licence: first property £750 (Part A £400 + Part B £350), second property onwards £700 (Part A £350 + Part B £350). Accredited landlord association member: £50 reduction. Accredited member with EPC C or better: total fee reduced to £650. New-build properties (never previously occupied) with EPC C+: £400 (Part A £250, Part B £150). LB Newham nightly paid temporary accommodation: £400 (Part A £250, Part B £150).
Discount available: Accredited landlord association member: £50 reduction. Accredited member with EPC C or better: total fee reduced to £650. New-build properties (never previously occupied) with EPC C+: £400 (Part A £250, Part B £150). LB Newham nightly paid temporary accommodation: £400 (Part A £250, Part B £150).
Designation date: 7 December 2022
Scheme period: 1 June 2023 - 31 May 2028
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years (may be shorter if Council has concerns about premises or management)
Coverage: Borough-wide

Research notes

This is an unprecedented third consecutive 5-year selective licensing designation. The previous scheme expired end of February 2023 and resulted in 42,000 properties licensed with 70% subject to officer visits/audits. Between 2018-July 2023: 2,620+ breach investigations, 387 financial penalty notices (£5,000-£30,000), 6,447 enforcement letters, 84 landlord bans. Property types covered: All privately rented residential accommodation that is not a Mandatory or Additional HMO, including single-family properties and those let to two unrelated occupiers. Exemptions or exclusions: Public sector housing (controlled/managed by Local Housing Authority, Police, fire brigade, Health Service bodies) educational accommodation occupied by students owner-occupied properties on long leasehold family lettings to certain relatives holiday homes shared occupancy where landlord/licensor or relative lives at property and shares facilities with a maximum of two lodgers. Properties in Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park wards are excluded.

Verify on official council page

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)

HMOAdditional (unconfirmed)Selective

Appears to cover HMO and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.

Register notes

Two separate PDF registers referenced: one for HMOs and one for selective licences. Both currently offline. The pa.newham.gov.uk portal covers a variety of authorisations including notices, permits, registrations, certificates and consents. | The dedicated public register for HMOs and selective licences is currently offline due to development work. PDF versions of both registers exist (Public register for HMOs, Public register of selective licences). Those who want to view the full register can contact the council to arrange access at their office. A separate licensing search portal exists at pa.newham.gov.uk which allows searching by keyword, application reference, postcode, or address.

Open the public register

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 (85/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

Data extracted from multiple official Newham Council web pages including fees, exemptions, scheme designation details, and news articles. All three scheme types (selective, additional, mandatory HMO) are well-documented with specific fees, dates, ward coverage, and exemptions. The only limitation is the public register being offline.

Council contact details

Email: propertylicensing@newham.gov.uk
Phone: 0208 430 2000
Address: Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London E16 2QU

Important to verify

Additional HMO licensing end date (not explicitly stated on pages fetched)
Exact public register fields visible (register is offline)
Mandatory HMO start date (national statutory requirement, no specific Newham date)

Supporting sources

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 Newham.

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 Newham.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

Houses in multiple occupation shared by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households. Applies borough-wide (mandatory national requirement).

Fee notes: £1,400 to £6,350+ Fees scale by number of lettings in the HMO. Paper application incurs additional £100. Accredited landlord association member: £50 reduction. Accredited member with EPC C or better: additional £50 reduction.
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years

Planning permission (C4 use classification) required for HMOs. Licensing fees are non-refundable if planning permission is denied. Property types covered: Houses in multiple occupation shared by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households with shared facilities. Exemptions or exclusions: Exemptions under Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004.

View HMO licensing info on 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

View full compliance checklist →

Common questions about licensing in London Borough of Newham

Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Newham?: London Borough of Newham 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 London Borough of Newham?: Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Newham are approximately: Newham Additional HMO Licensing Scheme: £1,250; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,400 to £6,350+ Fees scale by number of lettings in the HMO. Paper application incurs additional £100. Accredited landlord association member: £50 reduction. Accredited member with EPC C or better: additional £50 reduction; Newham Selective Licensing Scheme (Third Designation): £750. 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 Newham?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including London Borough of Newham. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to London Borough of Newham for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Newham?: 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 Newham 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.