London · Council licensing
Redbridge 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. Check the council for the current fee.
The London Borough of Redbridge operates two Selective Licensing Schemes covering 17 wards in total — approximately 79% of the borough by area. SCHEME 3 (The London Borough of Redbridge Selective Licensing Scheme — Ilford Town and Valentines Wards 2023): in force since 1 November 2023 for a five-year designation, covering all privately rented properties in the Ilford Town and Valentines wards. SCHEME 4 (The London Borough of Redbridge Selective Licensing Scheme 2024): designation confirmed by central government on 20 December 2023 and in force from 8 April 2024 for a five-year designation, covering 15 additional wards: Aldborough, Barkingside, Chadwell, Churchfields, Clementswood, Cranbrook, Fairlop, Goodmayes, Hainault, Loxford, Mayfield, Newbury, Seven Kings, South Woodford and Wanstead Village. A selective licence is required for any privately rented property in these wards that is occupied by a single household, a single person, cohabiting couples or a related family — i.e. lettings that fall outside both mandatory HMO and additional HMO licensing. Properties let by registered social landlords (housing associations) are exempt, as are those covered by the exemptions in regulations made under sections 79(3) and 79(4) of the Housing Act 2004 (such as licensed business premises, holiday lets and certain temporary lettings). Each property requires its own licence (the scheme licenses properties, not landlords). The application fee for both Scheme 3 and Scheme 4 is £890 per property, with a £35 discount available for accredited landlords (London Landlord Accreditation Scheme, NRLA, British Landlords Association). Properties found to be operating as HMOs while applying for a selective licence will be referred to the council's Pro-active Enforcement Team for enforcement action under the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy. Operating an unlicensed selective property exposes the landlord to prosecution with an unlimited fine, a civil financial penalty of up to £30,000 per offence without warning, Rent Repayment Orders of up to 12 months rent, and entry on the Mayor of London Rogue Landlord Checker.
Areas: Scheme 3: Valentines ward and Ilford Town ward
Scheme runs until: 7 April 2029
No additional licensing scheme is currently in force.
Source: Redbridge licensing page →
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.
Check your Redbridge property in 30 seconds
Free, no signup — see exactly what applies to your property, then let Landlord HQ track every deadline for £4.99/mo.