Selective licensing is a council power under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. It allows local authorities to designate areas where all privately rented properties must be licensed — irrespective of the property type or number of occupants.
Councils can introduce selective licensing in areas with low housing demand, significant anti-social behaviour, poor property conditions, or high levels of migration and deprivation.
In London, selective licensing has become increasingly common, with multiple boroughs operating schemes across designated postcode areas.
| Feature | HMO Licensing | Selective Licensing |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | HMOs only (shared houses, bedsits) | Any private rented property |
| Occupants | 3+ or 5+ tenants | Any number of tenants |
| Legislation | Part 2, Housing Act 2004 | Part 3, Housing Act 2004 |
| Coverage | Nationwide | Designated zones only |
| Duration | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years |
The following boroughs operate selective licensing schemes. Exact boundaries vary — always check whether your specific address falls within a designated zone.
| Borough | Coverage Area | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Newham | Whole Borough | Active |
| Waltham Forest | Designated zones | Active |
| Barking & Dagenham | Designated zones | Active |
| Brent | Designated zones | Active |
| Croydon | Designated zones | Active |
| Hackney | Designated zones | Active |
| Haringey | Designated zones | Active |
| Lewisham | Designated zones | Active |
| Southwark | Designated zones | Active |
| Tower Hamlets | Designated zones | Active |
| Ealing | Designated zones | Active |
| Enfield | Designated zones | Active |
This list is indicative. Schemes are introduced, extended and expired regularly. Contact us for the latest status.
HMO licensing applies specifically to Houses in Multiple Occupation — properties occupied by multiple households. Selective licensing is broader: it can require ALL privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of whether they are HMOs. So a single family renting a property in a selective licensing zone may still need a licence.
No — if you hold a mandatory or additional HMO licence for a property, you are generally exempt from selective licensing for that same property. However, you should verify this with your specific borough as conditions vary.
Non-compliance with selective licensing is a criminal offence. Penalties mirror those for HMO licensing: civil penalties up to £30,000, rent repayment orders for up to 12 months, and potential banning orders.
Selective licences are typically granted for up to 5 years. They must be renewed before expiry.
Contact us and we'll identify exactly which licence applies to your property — at no cost.
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