Selective licensing in Redbridge

What the designation says

Redbridge operates a selective licensing scheme covering 15 wards: Aldborough, Barkingside, Chadwell, Churchfields, Clementswood, Cranbrook, Fairlop, Goodmayes, Hainault, Loxford, Mayfield, Newbury, Seven Kings, South Woodford and Wanstead Village. The scheme was approved by government in December 2023 and commenced on 8 April 2024, ceasing to have effect on 7 April 2029 or earlier if the council revokes it under section 60 of the Housing Act 2004. An earlier selective scheme ended on 12 April 2022, so a landlord who held a licence under that one needs a fresh licence under the current designation rather than relying on the old grant. Selective licensing applies to privately rented properties not caught by the mandatory or additional HMO schemes, which in practice means an ordinary flat or a house let to a single household. Because 15 named wards are covered rather than the whole borough, a landlord should check a specific address against the council's designation. Letting an unlicensed property inside a designated ward is a criminal offence carrying a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or prosecution, and exposes the landlord to a rent repayment order.

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 £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Redbridge's own licensing page →