South East · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Spelthorne
✓ Hand-verified 28 May 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Spelthorne does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
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.
- Discount applies for membership of a professional landlord association and a 10 per cent discount on a further basis stated on the page
Spelthorne — spelthorne.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
No active selective licensing scheme in Spelthorne. Spelthorne Borough Council's own HMO Supplementary Planning Document (2025) explicitly states the council "operates the mandatory licensing scheme under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004, but does not currently operate any additional or selective licensing schemes". The council has considered whether to introduce further licensing controls but has opted to focus its resources on fully enforcing mandatory HMO licensing before extending discretionary powers. Landlords renting privately rented single-household properties in Spelthorne are not required to obtain a selective licence regardless of which ward the property is located in.
No active additional HMO licensing scheme in Spelthorne. The council operates only mandatory HMO licensing under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 for properties occupied by 5 or more persons forming 2 or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller HMOs (3 or 4 occupants) do not require an HMO licence in Spelthorne. The council uses a risk-based licensing system (introduced April 2024) that grants 1, 3, or 5 year licences depending on compliance history. HMO concentration is managed through planning controls rather than licensing — an Article 4 Direction came into force in Staines, Ashford North & Stanwell South, and Stanwell North wards on 29 August 2025, with a borough-wide Article 4 Direction taking effect on 13 March 2026. These are planning controls requiring planning permission for new HMO conversions — they are NOT additional licensing schemes.
Common questions
Does Spelthorne have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Spelthorne does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does Spelthorne have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Spelthorne does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in Spelthorne?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Spelthorne, 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
All property licensing in South East →
Source: Spelthorne licensing page →
Every landlord in Spelthorne 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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