Selective licensing in Waltham Forest

Common questions

What the designation says

London Borough of Waltham Forest operates a near-borough-wide Selective Licensing scheme. The current scheme is the renewal — the London Borough of Waltham Forest Designation for an Area for Selective Licensing 2025, made on 9 July 2024, came into force on 1 May 2025 and runs until 30 April 2030 (5-year designation), or earlier if the council revokes under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004 . Designation under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004. Approved at Cabinet meeting on 9 July 2024. Approved by Secretary of State following the renewal approval process. 20 of the 22 wards in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Two wards HATCH LANE & HIGHAMS PARK NORTH, and ENDLEBURY. Use the postcode search facility on walthamforest.gov.uk to confirm whether a property is in a designated ward. Within the designated 20 wards, every house let or occupied under a tenancy or licence — (a) the house is a Mandatory HMO under section 55(2)(a) Housing Act 2004 (b) the house is an HMO licensed under the Waltham Forest Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (c) the tenancy is granted by a Registered Social Landlord (d) the house is subject to an Interim or Final Management Order under Part 4 (e) the house is subject to a temporary exemption notice under section 86 (f) the tenancy or property is exempt under the Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 This applies to properties (house or flat) let to a single person, couple, single household, or two unrelated sharers. Waltham Forest's previous selective scheme had 22,410 licensed properties (Kamma data March 2025), the highest UK volume — generating £15.7m in revenue under the previous scheme. £895 per property (current as of July 2025). Two-part structure (allows cost to be spread over several months). £125 discount available for multiple properties. Energy efficiency discounts also available. Verify at walthamforest.gov.uk. Comprehensive — fire safety, gas safety, electrical safety, structural condition, waste management, anti-social behaviour management, written tenancy agreements, fit and proper person test for licence holder. Waltham Forest publishes the conditions for licensed properties — see the Selective Licensing PDF on walthamforest.gov.uk. Operating a licensable property without a licence (or allowing more occupants than authorised) is a criminal offence. Civil financial penalty up to £40,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. RROs up to two years' rent for offences on or after 1 May 2026 (12 months before that date). Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy applies to breach of conditions. Licence holders must notify the Private Sector Housing Team of any change in circumstance within 10 working days. Private Sector Housing and Licensing Team, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Town Hall, Fellowship Square, Forest Road, London E17 4JF. Tel 020 8496 4949. Email propertylicensing@walthamforest.gov.uk. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026; possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. The £40,000 ceiling applies to offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the £30,000 ceiling still applies to offences committed before that date.

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.

Waltham Forest's own licensing page →