Landlord licensing in Newham

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.

Fee: £1,100

SCHEME OVERVIEW: Newham's Selective Licensing Designation No.1 2023 came into force on 1 June 2023 and runs until 31 May 2028 (5-year designation). It was confirmed by the Secretary of State for Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities on 7 December 2022 under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004. Newham was one of the first London boroughs to introduce borough-wide selective licensing (source: newham.gov.uk/landlords-newham/rented-property-licensing/11). COVERAGE: All wards across the London Borough of Newham EXCEPT Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park. Every privately rented property in the designation area that is NOT a Mandatory HMO or Additional HMO must hold a Selective Licence — regardless of size or occupation, including single-family lets, single-person lets, and Nightly Paid Spot booked Temporary Accommodation for homeless households. Holiday lets (under 90 days per year) are not covered but planning restrictions may apply separately (source: newham.gov.uk/landlords-newham/rented-property-licensing/7). RATIONALE: Council data identified poor housing conditions, significant and persistent anti-social behaviour, and high levels of deprivation across the borough's private rented sector, where over half of all housing is privately rented. FEES: £750 for up to 5 years (paid in two stages: £400 application fee + £350 on approval, both non-refundable). DISCOUNTS available: certified members of a recognised landlord accreditation organisation can reduce the online application fee to £650, particularly where the property has an EPC rating of A+, A, B or C. Landlord accreditation requires a minimum 5-hour course and a Landlord Accreditation Certificate must be supplied with the application (source: newham.gov.uk/landlords-newham/rented-property-licensing). MULTI-DWELLING APPLICATIONS: If you own multiple dwellings in a single building, you may apply for a multi-dwelling Selective Licence. Email propertylicensing@newham.gov.uk to register interest with the addresses to be licensed. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: Gas Safety Certificate (annual, all gas appliances), Electrical Installation Condition Report / EICR (every 5 years), Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Photos or scans are acceptable provided the relevant information is clear. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES: Landlords without a licence may be prosecuted (unlimited fine on summary conviction) OR issued a civil financial penalty of up to £30,000 per offence. Other consequences: Rent Repayment Order requiring repayment of up to 12 months of rent, entry on the database of rogue landlords, Banning Order prohibiting the landlord from operating, or licence revocation/variation. EXEMPTIONS: Excluded under section 80(7) Housing Act 2004 — including long leases (21+ years), tenancies granted to family members where occupier is 18+, tenancies where the occupier shares accommodation with the landlord, and student-occupied buildings under paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 14. Properties already licensed under Mandatory or Additional HMO schemes are not separately required to hold a Selective Licence (source: newham.gov.uk/landlords-newham/rented-property-licensing/11). CONTACT: propertylicensing@newham.gov.uk / Private Sector Housing Standards, London Borough of Newham, First Floor West Wing, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London E16 2QU.

Areas: Borough-wide selective licensing for all privately rented properties

Fee: £750

Scheme runs until: 31 December 2028

SCHEME OVERVIEW: Newham's Additional HMO Licensing Designation came into force on 1 January 2023 and runs until 31 December 2027 (5-year designation). The scheme covers all wards across the London Borough of Newham EXCEPT Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park (source: newham.gov.uk/landlords-newham/rented-property-licensing/12). WHO NEEDS A LICENCE: Any property occupied by 3 or 4 persons forming 2 or more households that meets the standard test, self-contained flat test, or converted building test as defined by section 254 of the Housing Act 2004. The Designation does NOT apply to section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats). Mandatory HMO licensing (5+ persons) applies separately and borough-wide. RATIONALE: Newham introduced the scheme because more than 50% of all housing in the borough is privately rented — more than double the national average. Council data showed many of these properties had poor management, fire risk, and contributed to anti-social behaviour and deprivation (source: newham.gov.uk/housing-homes-homelessness/property-licensing-consultation). APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Online application via My Newham portal. Required documents: Gas Safety Certificate (annual), Electrical Installation Condition Report / EICR (5 years), Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The proposed licence holder must be the most appropriate person — typically the owner, person receiving rent, or person in control. For limited companies, a UK-registered office and named director must be the proposed licence holder. Overseas landlords must complete a separate declaration and are decided case-by-case by a senior officer (source: newham.gov.uk/landlords-newham/rented-property-licensing). LICENCE DURATION: Up to 5 years. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES: A landlord or manager who fails to obtain a licence can either be prosecuted on summary conviction (unlimited fine) OR receive a civil financial penalty notice of up to £30,000 per offence under section 72(1) of the Housing Act 2004. Breach of licence conditions or knowingly allowing the HMO to be occupied by more than the permitted number is similarly punishable. Additional consequences: Rent Repayment Order up to 12 months under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, entry on the database of rogue landlords, or a Banning Order. Where Newham has had to take enforcement action against a licence holder, the council can revoke or vary the licence (including shortening its term) (source: newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/5759/newham-private-rented-property-licensing-faqs). EXEMPTIONS: Properties in the excluded wards (Royal Victoria, Stratford Olympic Park) are not within the designation. Statutory exemptions also apply via Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004. CONTACT: propertylicensing@newham.gov.uk / Private Sector Housing Standards, London Borough of Newham, First Floor West Wing, Newham Dockside, 1000 Dockside Road, London E16 2QU.

Areas: Borough-wide additional licensing for HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 people in up to 2 separate households

Fee: £1,100