Additional HMO licensing in Tower Hamlets

What the designation says

On 25 October 2023 the Mayor of Tower Hamlets in Cabinet designated the WHOLE BOROUGH as an area for Additional Licensing under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004. The designation came into force on 1 April 2024 and will remain in force until 31 March 2029 (5-year designation), unless revoked earlier under section 60 of the Housing Act 2004. This replaced the previous area-specific scheme that ran 2019-2024 . All privately let properties — including flats, irrespective of the number of storeys — that are occupied by 3 or more persons forming 2 or more households. Definition is supported by sections 254, 257 and 258 of the Housing Act 2004. The designation also covers Section 257 HMOs: buildings converted into self-contained flats that did NOT comply with the Building Regulations in force at the time of conversion (and still do not), where ALL of the flats in the building are privately rented (Tower Hamlets has restricted its s257 scheme to buildings where all flats are privately rented, stricter than the standard 2/3 threshold). This designation also includes all relevant multi-let properties within the Selective Licensing area. Properties below the 3-person/2-household threshold (unless inside the Selective Licensing area). Halls of residence and student accommodation owned by educational establishments. Mandatory HMO licensing (5+ persons) applies separately and borough-wide. Additional licence application fee is £756 for an online submission, plus £54.50 for each habitable room. £47.50 surcharge to pay in two instalments. Lower fees apply to renewals. The council does NOT list any fee discount for accredited landlords . LICENCE CONDITIONS (every licence): Annual gas safety certificate; proof electrical appliances and furniture are safe; functioning fire detection and smoke alarm system; written tenancy agreement for each occupier; overall property management standards. Maximum number of occupants is specified on each licence. Tower Hamlets adopted amenity and room-size standards at its October 2018 Cabinet meeting — minimum sleeping rooms 6.51m² for one adult, 10.22m² for two adults. The council can impose larger minimums. Online via Tower Hamlets HMO Licensing Portal. Required documents: annual gas safety certificate, EICR, EPC, floor plans showing room and kitchen sizes, current tenancy agreements, evidence of competent property management. Fit and proper person test for the licence holder, assessed by an Environmental Health Officer. Operating an unlicensed property that should be licensed can result in criminal conviction and unlimited fine OR a Financial Penalty of up to £30,000 per offence under section 72(1) Housing Act 2004. Convictions affect "fit and proper person" status and may bar future licence applications. Additional consequences: tenants may apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order (up to 12 months' rent), which the Renters' Rights Act 2025 has strengthened. Section 21 notices are invalid where the property is unlicensed; the no-fault possession grounds under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 are also unavailable to landlords of unlicensed properties. Tower Hamlets maintains a public register under section 232 of the Housing Act 2004. As of August 2025 the register listed 641 mandatory HMO licences, 4,421 additional licences, and 6,357 selective licences in force. housinglicensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk / 020 7364 5008 / Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BJ.

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.

Tower Hamlets's own licensing page →