London · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Merton
✓ Hand-verified 25 Aug 2026Merton 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.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Each unit | £64.33 |
- Discounts apply to mandatory
Merton — merton.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
The London Borough of Merton operates a selective licensing scheme covering four wards. The scheme was approved by Cabinet on 19 June 2023, came into force on 24 September 2023, and runs for 5 years until 23 September 2028. Applies to properties occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers in Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton, and Pollards Hill wards. Estimated 5,000+ properties affected. Licence fee £692 (early bird discounts of two months were available, plus discounts for accredited landlords).
Areas: Four wards: Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton, Pollards Hill
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £267 |
| Part B | £480.60 |
| Total | £747.60 |
- £50 discount for accredited or member landlords (LLAS
Merton, read 25 August 2026
Scheme runs until: 23 September 2028
The London Borough of Merton operates an additional HMO licensing scheme covering seven wards. The scheme was approved by Cabinet on 19 June 2023, came into force on 24 September 2023, and runs for 5 years until 23 September 2028. Applies to all HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing in Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton, Pollards Hill, Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, and Lavender Fields wards. The scheme includes section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats where less than two thirds are owner-occupied and the conversion did not comply with relevant Building Regulations). Approximately 700-1,000+ unlicensed HMOs estimated in the area. Licence fee starts at £1,450 for a two-bedroom property. Article 4 Direction also applies in these seven wards (since 17 November 2022, made permanent April 2023) requiring planning permission for C3 to C4 conversions.
Areas: Seven wards: Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton, Pollards Hill, Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Lavender Fields
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
- Discount
- Banded by bedrooms with a flat Part A of £267: from £1,566 (2 bedrooms) rising to £1,674 at the top band, per the council's licensing fees page marked last updated 1 April 2026, the same page read live for the selective fee, research live-read 24 Aug 2026
Merton, read 25 August 2026
Scheme runs until: 23 September 2028
Common questions
Does Merton have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. Merton operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
Does Merton have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
Yes. Merton operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
Do I need an HMO licence in Merton?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Merton, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
Selective licensing in Merton: areas, dates and fees →
Additional HMO licensing in Merton: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in London →
Source: Merton licensing page →
Every landlord in Merton also needs
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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