Selective licensing in Tower Hamlets

Yes. Tower Hamlets operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.

Legal basis
Housing Act 2004, section 80
Areas covered
Borough-wide selective licensing for all privately rented properties
In force from
1 October 2016
Runs until
30 September 2026
Licence fee
£650
Last verified
19 Jun 2026

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 →

Free compliance audit →Five questions, no sign-up. Every duty that applies to your property, licensing included.Check your tenancy agreement →Unlicensed letting invalidates a section 21 notice. We check the agreement against current law.

Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Tower Hamlets before letting.