London
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
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This page includes the scheme records we currently hold, but council policies and boundaries can change. Treat it as a researched starting point and verify the latest position on the official council pages before acting.
Based on publicly available information, we show the licensing status we currently hold for London Borough of Southwark, highlight mandatory HMO rules, and link you to official council sources for verification where we currently have them.
Confirm the current scheme boundary, licence fee, exemptions, application route, and any recent policy changes on the council website before making decisions.
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with London Borough of Southwark.
We research council licensing information from public sources and present it as general guidance. We do not replace the council's own licensing pages or legal advice.
Council updates
We will email you if London Borough of Southwark 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.
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
Live now
A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.
Best for: Best for landlords, agents, and buyers who want written clarity quickly on one case.
Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days
Licensing Due Diligence Report
Coming soon
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Best for: Best for buyers, investors, agents, landlords refinancing, and conveyancers handling material decisions.
Delivery: Analyst-reviewed report with stronger risk framing
Alerts and monitoring
Coming soon
A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.
Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts
These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Applies to HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing, including properties shared by 3 or 4 people who are not all related and share facilities. Also covers Section 257 HMOs (buildings with 3+ floors converted into 3+ self-contained flats not complying with 1991+ building regulations) and flats in multiple occupation in purpose-built blocks of 3+ flats.
Designation declaration dated 28 October 2021. PDF available at: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-11/Additional%20Licensing%20Final%20Designation%20Declaration%2028%2010%2021.pdf Property types covered: Smaller HMOs (3-4 unrelated occupants sharing facilities), Section 257 HMOs (3+ storey buildings converted to 3+ self-contained flats under same ownership/control), flats in multiple occupation in purpose-built blocks of 3+ flats. Exemptions or exclusions: Section 257 HMO licences are free of charge. Landlords of Section 257 HMOs may need additional licences for individual flats within the building..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Properties occupied by 5 or more people who form more than one household and share facilities such as toilet, bathroom, or kitchen. Covers shared houses, bedsits, and converted buildings. This is the national mandatory scheme applying borough-wide.
Minimum room sizes enforced since 1 October 2018: 4.64m2 for children under 10, 6.51m2 for one person over 10, 10.22m2 for two people over 10. Planning permission is required separately if letting to 7+ people or if the property is in an Article 4 direction area. Property types covered: Large HMOs with 5+ occupants from 2+ households sharing facilities. Exemptions or exclusions: Purpose-built self-contained flats in blocks of 3 or more units are excluded from mandatory 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.
Selective licensing for all privately rented properties not covered by mandatory or additional licensing in the designated wards. Originally approved October 2021 covering approximately 6,000 properties.
Designation declaration dated 28 October 2021. Interactive map available at https://geomap.southwark.gov.uk to check if a specific property requires a selective licence. Property types covered: All privately rented properties with single households or two unrelated occupants not requiring mandatory or additional 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.
Expanded selective licensing scheme approved November 2023, covering 14 additional wards. Applies to all privately rented properties not covered by mandatory or additional licensing in the designated wards.
Designation declaration dated 14 June 2023. Interactive map available at https://geomap.southwark.gov.uk to check if a specific property requires a selective licence. Property types covered: All privately rented properties with single households or two unrelated occupants not requiring mandatory or additional 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.
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 (84/100)
Sources checked
10
Data sourced directly from Southwark Council official web pages, supplemented by established third-party aggregators (London Property Licensing, Kamma). Fee breakdowns confirmed from the council's dedicated fees page with Part A/Part B splits. Ward lists confirmed across multiple sources. Scheme dates confirmed from designation declarations. Public register URL verified.
Supporting sources
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 Southwark.
Properties occupied by 5 or more people who form more than one household and share facilities such as toilet, bathroom, or kitchen. Covers shared houses, bedsits, and converted buildings. This is the national mandatory scheme applying borough-wide.
Minimum room sizes enforced since 1 October 2018: 4.64m2 for children under 10, 6.51m2 for one person over 10, 10.22m2 for two people over 10. Planning permission is required separately if letting to 7+ people or if the property is in an Article 4 direction area. Property types covered: Large HMOs with 5+ occupants from 2+ households sharing facilities. Exemptions or exclusions: Purpose-built self-contained flats in blocks of 3 or more units are excluded from mandatory licensing..
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
Use these routes to move from the London Borough of Southwark 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.
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