Havering HMO & Selective Licensing Starts 18 March 2026

Key Points

• Havering Council’s new additional licensing scheme applies borough-wide and extends licensing to most houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) outside mandatory HMO licensing, including shared houses, shared flats, and bedsit HMOs occupied by three or four people.
• The additional licensing scheme includes section 257 HMOs, defined as properties converted into self-contained flats where less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied and the conversion did not comply with relevant Building Regulations at the time and still does not comply.
• Section 257 HMOs require an additional licence only if all accommodation units are privately rented and the building and units are in the same ownership.
• Havering Council’s selective licensing scheme covers all private rented accommodation occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers in seven council wards: Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham and Wennington, Rush Green and Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans, and St Edwards.
• A search facility on the council’s website allows checking which ward a property falls into.
• Mandatory HMO licensing already applies borough-wide to HMOs occupied by five or more people, as part of a scheme operating across England.
• Applications for additional and selective licences opened on 25 January 2026 via the council’s website and a direct application link.
• Required documents for licence applications include Gas Safety Certificate (if applicable), Energy Performance Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report, and floorplan.
• Selective licence application fee is £950 per property, payable in two instalments: Part A £570 and Part B £380.
• Fee discounts for selective licences include £100 accreditation discount (deducted from Part B), £75 energy efficiency discount for EPC Band C or above (deducted from Part B), and £100 multiple dwelling discount per application for multiple applications in the same building under the same ownership.
• Full fee schedule available on the council’s website.
• Contact Havering Council’s property licensing team via email at [email protected] or by phone at 01708 432006 or 01708 432777 for more information.
• Non-compliance risks include prosecution in the Magistrates Court, civil financial penalty up to £30,000 per property, Rent Repayment Orders, inability to issue section 21 notices, and entry in the Mayor of London’s Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker.
• Landlords and agents can avoid risks by applying before the scheme starts on 18 March 2026.

Havering (East London Times) February 5, 2026 – Havering Council has introduced new additional and selective licensing schemes for private rented properties, set to commence on 18 March 2026, targeting houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and specific rented accommodations across the borough. These measures aim to regulate the private rental sector more comprehensively, extending beyond existing mandatory licensing requirements. Applications opened on 25 January 2026, with clear fees, discounts, and compliance risks outlined.

What is the Additional Licensing Scheme?

The additional licensing scheme applies borough-wide and covers most HMOs that fall outside mandatory HMO licensing. As per the council’s official designation, this includes shared houses, shared flats, and bedsit HMOs occupied by three or four people.

Havering Council has specifically decided to include section 257 HMOs in this scheme. According to the council’s documentation, section 257 HMOs are properties that have been converted into self-contained flats, where less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied, and the conversion did not comply with the relevant Building Regulations in force at the time and still does not comply.

However, section 257 HMOs will only require an additional licence if all accommodation units are privately rented and the building and accommodation units are in the same ownership. This targeted approach ensures that only fully privately rented, non-compliant conversions under single ownership face the new requirements.

Mandatory HMO licensing, which already operates borough-wide for HMOs with five or more occupants, remains unchanged as part of the national scheme across England. The new additional scheme thus fills a gap for smaller HMOs.

Which Wards are Covered by Selective Licensing?

Havering Council’s selective licensing scheme extends to all private rented accommodation occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers in seven designated council wards. The wards are Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham and Wennington, Rush Green and Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans, and St Edwards.

Residents and landlords can use a search facility on the council’s website to check which ward their property is in. This scheme broadens oversight to smaller rental households in these areas, aiming to improve standards in the private rented sector.

When Can Landlords Apply for Licences?

Havering Council began accepting applications for both additional and selective licences on 25 January 2026. More information is available on the council’s website, with a direct link provided for submissions.

To accompany applications, landlords must supply a Gas Safety Certificate (if applicable), Energy Performance Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report, and a floorplan. These documents ensure compliance with safety and efficiency standards from the outset.

How Much Do Licences Cost?

The selective licence application fee stands at £950 per property, payable in two instalments: Part A at £570 and Part B at £380. Havering Council offers several discounts to incentivise good practice.

These include a £100 accreditation discount, deducted from Part B, for accredited landlords; a £75 energy efficiency discount, also from Part B, for properties with an EPC Band C or above; and a £100 multiple dwelling discount per application for multiple submissions in the same building under the same ownership. The full schedule of fees is viewable on the council’s website.

For additional licences, fees follow a similar structure, though specifics align with the council’s published rates. Landlords are encouraged to review the official fee details to calculate exact costs.

Where Can Landlords Find More Information?

Further details are accessible via the council’s property licensing pages. Landlords can contact Havering Council’s property licensing team directly by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01708 432006 or 01708 432777.

These channels provide guidance on applications, eligibility, and scheme requirements. The council emphasises early engagement to ensure smooth implementation.

What are the Risks of Non-Compliance?

Landlords and letting or managing agents failing to comply with the schemes face significant penalties. Risks include prosecution in the Magistrates Court or a civil financial penalty of up to £30,000 per property.

Additional sanctions comprise Rent Repayment Orders, preventing the issuance of section 21 notices, and inclusion in the Mayor of London’s Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker. Havering Council advises submitting applications before 18 March 2026 to design out these risks entirely.

Why is Havering Council Implementing These Schemes?

The schemes stem from Havering Council’s commitment to elevating standards in the private rented sector borough-wide. By extending licensing to smaller HMOs and targeted rentals, the council seeks to address issues like poor housing conditions and rogue operators.

As reported in the council’s announcements, the measures build on existing mandatory licensing, providing a more robust framework. No direct quotes from council officials are specified in the designation documents, but the emphasis on safety certificates, EPCs, and floorplans underscores health and compliance priorities.

How Do These Schemes Differ from Mandatory Licensing?

Mandatory HMO licensing already covers borough-wide properties with five or more occupants, operating nationally across England. The new additional scheme targets three- or four-person HMOs, including specific section 257 conversions, while selective licensing focuses on single households or two sharers in seven wards.

This layered approach ensures comprehensive coverage without overlap. Section 257 inclusions are narrowly defined to avoid burdening owner-occupied or compliant properties.

What Documents are Strictly Required?

Every application mandates an Energy Performance Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report, and floorplan. A Gas Safety Certificate is required if applicable, typically for properties with gas appliances.

These requirements, as stipulated by Havering Council, verify habitability and safety before licences are granted. Incomplete submissions may delay processing.

Who Exactly Needs a Selective Licence?

Properties in the seven wards—Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham and Wennington, Rush Green and Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans, and St Edwards—require selective licensing if occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers. This applies to all private rented accommodation meeting these occupancy criteria.

Landlords must confirm ward status via the council’s tool. Exemptions do not apply to qualifying rentals.

Can Discounts Stack for Selective Licences?

Discounts are applicable but deducted specifically from Part B where noted. The accreditation (£100), energy efficiency (£75 for EPC C+), and multiple dwelling (£100 per extra application) reductions encourage accreditation, efficiency, and bulk applications.

Landlords should consult the full fee schedule on the council’s site for combinations and eligibility. Total savings could reach £275 or more per property under optimal conditions.

What Happens After 18 March 2026?

Post-commencement, unlicensed properties in scope face enforcement. Havering Council urges pre-emptive applications to avoid disruptions like Rent Repayment Orders or section 21 restrictions.

The borough-wide additional scheme and ward-specific selective measures will enforce ongoing compliance, with potential database listings deterring future tenancy issues.