Selective licensing in Thurrock
Yes. Thurrock operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need a selective licence in Thurrock?
Yes. Thurrock operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Thurrock does the scheme cover?
Aveley and Uplands, Belhus, Chadwell St Mary, Chafford and North Stifford, Corringham and Fobbing, East Tilbury, Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Little Thurrock Rector, Ockendon, South Chafford, Stanford East and Corringham Town, Stanford le Hope West, Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park, Tilbury St Chads, West Thurrock and South Stifford. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Thurrock's scheme end?
The designation runs until 4 January 2031, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,002.19. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Thurrock before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £236.98 |
| Part B | £797.92 |
| Total | £1,002.19 |
- Paper application surcharge £500
Thurrock, read 31 August 2026
What the designation says
Thurrock Council operates a selective licensing scheme that went live in January 2026, covering sixteen wards. Every privately rented property in a designated ward needs a licence before it is let, apart from houses in multiple occupation already covered by the mandatory or additional schemes. Applications opened on 1 November 2025. The council consulted between May and July 2025 before deciding to proceed. Nearly a quarter of all homes in the borough are privately rented, so the scheme reaches a large share of local landlords. Check the specific address against the council's ward list rather than assuming from the town name.
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 £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Thurrock before letting.