Additional HMO licensing in Havering
Yes. Havering operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need an additional HMO licence in Havering?
Yes. Havering operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Havering does the scheme cover?
Borough-wide. Designated 10 December 2025. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Havering's scheme end?
The designation runs until 17 March 2031, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,400. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Havering before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £840 |
| Part B | £560 |
| Total | £1,400 |
- Paper surcharge £117.10
- Discounts off Part B: £100 accredited, £75 EPC C+; £100 per dwelling multi-property in the same building under common ownership
Havering, read 25 August 2026
What the designation says
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.
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.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Havering before letting.