Selective licensing in Ealing

Common questions

What the designation says

Ealing operates TWO selective licensing scheme designations covering different sets of wards. (A) Came into force on 1 April 2022 and runs until 31 March 2027 (5-year designation). Notice of Designation under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004. Covers the wards of EAST ACTON, SOUTHALL BROADWAY, and SOUTHALL GREEN (based on pre-May 2022 ward boundaries). These wards were chosen because evidence shows a large proportion of private rented properties have poor property conditions and standards. (B) Came into force on 3 January 2023 and runs until 2 January 2028 (5-year designation). Following Secretary of State approval. Covers 12 additional wards (based on pre-May 2022 ward boundaries): ACTON CENTRAL, DORMERS WELLS, GREENFORD BROADWAY, GREENFORD GREEN, HANGER HILL, HOBBAYNE, LADY MARGARET, NORTH GREENFORD, NORTHOLT MANDEVILLE, NORTHOLT WEST END, PERIVALE, and SOUTH ACTON . Within either designated area, properties (house or flat) let to a single household or two unrelated sharers require a Selective Licence. Selective licences are also needed for HMOs in these areas that do NOT fall within mandatory or additional licensing schemes. Ealing uses pre-May 2022 ward boundaries for licensing purposes. Use the postcode search facility on ealing.gov.uk to check whether a specific property is within either selective scheme — most landlords/tenants/agents will not be familiar with the ward boundaries. Selective licensing £750 per property (current as of June 2025). Discounts: 10% if licensing 2+ flats in same building; £75 if licence holder/designated manager belongs to an approved accreditation scheme; £50 for properties with EPC rating A-C. Two-part structure. Landlords who applied for a Designation 2 selective licence between 3 January and 3 April 2023 were eligible for a 25% early-bird discount. Health and safety, fire precautions, gas/electrical safety certificates, structural condition, anti-social behaviour management, written tenancy agreements, fit and proper person test for licence holder. Properties subject to inspection. Same as additional licensing — civil penalty up to £40,000, unlimited fine on conviction, RROs, ealing.gov.uk online application portal with postcode checker. Mandatory HMO £1,500 + £50 per habitable room for comparison. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026; possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. The £40,000 ceiling applies to offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the £30,000 ceiling still applies to offences committed before that date.

What this means for a landlord

A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Ealing's own licensing page →