Selective licensing in Medway
Yes, from 4 January 2027. Medway has designated a selective licensing scheme that comes into force on 4 January 2027. A licence is not required before that date, and is required from it.
Commences 4 January 2027. The designation is made and binding, but the duty has not started. A licence obtained before that date is valid from it; a property let without one after it is unlicensed.
Common questions
Do I need a selective licence in Medway?
Yes, from 4 January 2027. Medway has designated a selective licensing scheme that comes into force on 4 January 2027. A licence is not required before that date, and is required from it.
Which areas of Medway does the scheme cover?
Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North & Frindsbury, Watling. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Medway's scheme end?
The designation runs until 3 January 2032, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£840. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Medway before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £436 |
| Part B | £404 |
| Total | £840 |
- Discounts will be applied to Part B of the fee"
Medway, read 9 November 2026
What the designation says
APPROVED, COMMENCES 4 JANUARY 2027. Medway Council's private rented sector licensing page, read live 9 November 2026: "Following consultation, our proposals for these schemes were approved on Tuesday 22 September 2026." "From Monday 4 January 2027, landlords, or management agencies on behalf of landlords, may need to apply" and "You can apply for selective and additional licences online from Monday 4 January 2027." "The schemes will run until 3 January 2032 unless we decide to end them earlier or extend them." Selective licensing covers privately rented homes let to a single household or two unrelated sharers (not HMOs) in seven wards: Chatham Central and Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North and Frindsbury, Watling. "Properties that meet this criteria must have a licence before they can be legally rented to new or existing tenants." Fee £840 (Part A £436 on application, Part B £404 after approval; discounts applied to Part B). Until 4 January 2027 no selective licence is required in Medway. Consultation ran 23 March to 31 May 2026. The dates above are from the council's service page; the public notices it links to have not yet been read here. Source: medway.gov.uk/PropertyLicensing.
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 Medway before letting.