Selective licensing in Havering
Yes. Havering operates a selective 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 a selective licence in Havering?
Yes. Havering operates a selective 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?
Seven wards: Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham and Wennington, Rush Green and Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans, St Edwards. Designated 10 December 2025, applications opened 25 January 2026. 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?
£950. 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.
- Discounts: Part A application fee £570 plus Part B licensing fee £380
- Discounts off Part B: £100 accredited landlord, £75 EPC C or better, £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 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.
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.