London · Council licensing
Havering operates discretionary property licensing. Letting an unlicensed property where a scheme applies risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 and a rent repayment order — check whether your property is covered below.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities. Check the council for the current fee.
The London Borough of Havering operates a selective licensing scheme covering seven wards. The new scheme designation was approved by Cabinet on 10 December 2025 and came into force on 18 March 2026, replacing the previous selective licensing scheme (Brooklands and Romford Town wards) which ended on 24 January 2026. The scheme will run for 5 years until 17 March 2031 unless revoked earlier. It applies to all private rented accommodation occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers within the seven designated wards. Licence fee: £950 (£570 Part A on application + £380 Part B on grant). Discounts available for EPC C+ properties (-£75) and accredited landlords (-£100). The seven wards were chosen for the prevalence of poor housing conditions, identified through a Housing Conditions and Stressors Report (Metastreet 2024). As of January 2025 the council's public register listed 3,206 selective licences under the previous scheme.
Areas: Seven wards: Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham & Wennington, Rush Green & Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Alban's and St Edwards
Scheme runs until: 17 March 2031
The London Borough of Havering operates a borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme. The new scheme was approved by Cabinet on 10 December 2025 and came into force on 18 March 2026, replacing the previous additional scheme (Cranham, Emerson Park, Hacton, Hylands, Saint Andrews and Upminster wards) which ended on 24 January 2026. The scheme will run for 5 years until 17 March 2031 unless revoked earlier. It applies to all HMOs that fall outside mandatory HMO licensing - including HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 people, multi-occupied flats in purpose-built blocks comprising 3+ flats, and section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats). Licence fee: £1,400 (£840 Part A + £560 Part B). Mandatory HMO licensing also applies separately for HMOs with 5+ occupants. The council estimates approximately 10,474 properties will need to be licensed under the combined additional and selective schemes.
Areas: Borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme from March 2026
Scheme runs until: 17 March 2031
Source: Havering licensing page →
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
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