Do I need a selective licence to rent in London of Newham?

Yes, if your property is in London of Newham and it is not already covered by mandatory or additional HMO licensing. London Borough of Newham's selective licensing scheme is borough-wide, meaning all privately rented properties in the area need a licence.

How much does a selective licence cost in London of Newham?

The standard licence fee is £650. A discounted rate of £500 is available — reduced fee for early applications or renewals. The licence is typically valid for 5 years, so the annualised cost is £130/year at the standard rate.

What happens if I rent without a selective licence in London of Newham?

Renting without a required selective licence is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004. London Borough of Newham can issue a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence. Additionally, your tenant can apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 12 months' rent. The council may also apply for a management order to take control of the property.

What are the requirements for a selective licence in London of Newham?

Key requirements include: Gas safety check every 12 months; Smoke and CO alarms installed and maintained; Valid EPC (minimum E rating); EICR within 5 years. The full list of conditions is attached to the licence once granted. All licensed properties must meet minimum standards for gas safety, electrical safety, fire precautions, and overall repair.

Can I be exempt from selective licensing?

Exemptions typically apply to: Properties licensed under mandatory or additional HMO schemes; Social housing; Properties where the occupier is a family member of the landlord. If you believe your property is exempt, check directly with London Borough of Newham before assuming you do not need a licence.

When does London of Newham's selective licensing scheme end?

The current scheme runs from March 2023 to February 2028. Councils often renew schemes at expiry — check London Borough of Newham's website for the latest status.

Do I need a selective licence to rent in London of Newham?

Yes, if your property is in London of Newham and it is not already covered by mandatory or additional HMO licensing. London Borough of Newham's selective licensing scheme is borough-wide, meaning all privately rented properties in the area need a licence.

How much does a selective licence cost in London of Newham?

The standard licence fee is £650. A discounted rate of £500 is available — reduced fee for early applications or renewals. The licence is typically valid for 5 years, so the annualised cost is £130/year at the standard rate.

What happens if I rent without a selective licence in London of Newham?

Renting without a required selective licence is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004. London Borough of Newham can issue a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence. Additionally, your tenant can apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 12 months' rent. The council may also apply for a management order to take control of the property.

What are the requirements for a selective licence in London of Newham?

Key requirements include: Gas safety check every 12 months; Smoke and CO alarms installed and maintained; Valid EPC (minimum E rating); EICR within 5 years. The full list of conditions is attached to the licence once granted. All licensed properties must meet minimum standards for gas safety, electrical safety, fire precautions, and overall repair.

Can I be exempt from selective licensing?

Exemptions typically apply to: Properties licensed under mandatory or additional HMO schemes; Social housing; Properties where the occupier is a family member of the landlord. If you believe your property is exempt, check directly with London Borough of Newham before assuming you do not need a licence.

When does London of Newham's selective licensing scheme end?

The current scheme runs from March 2023 to February 2028. Councils often renew schemes at expiry — check London Borough of Newham's website for the latest status.

Selective Licensing in London Borough of Newham 2026 — Landlord Guide

Which Areas Are Covered?

London Borough of Newham's selective licensing scheme is borough-wide. This means all privately rented properties within the London of Newham boundary need a selective licence, unless they fall under a specific exemption (such as properties already covered by mandatory HMO licensing).

Newham was the first London borough to introduce borough-wide property licensing (originally in 2013) and has consistently renewed the scheme. It covers all privately rented properties in the borough.

Licence Fees and Costs

Fee Type	Amount	Per Year (5yr licence)
Standard licence fee	£650	£130/year
Discounted fee	£500	£100/year

Discount available: Reduced fee for early applications or renewals.

The licence fee is per property and covers the full 5-year licence period. This is a one-off cost, not an annual charge. Factor this into your investment calculations alongside other acquisition and compliance costs.

Licence Requirements and Conditions

To obtain and maintain a selective licence, your property must meet the following conditions:

Gas safety check every 12 months
Smoke and CO alarms installed and maintained
Valid EPC (minimum E rating)
EICR within 5 years
Written tenancy agreement with tenancy deposit protection
References obtained for all tenants
Property in good repair inside and out
Adequate fire safety measures

ZenRent tracks all of these. Gas Safety, EPC, EICR, and HMO licence renewal dates are all tracked with automated alerts in ZenRent. Never miss a compliance deadline — start your free trial.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Renting a property that requires a selective licence without obtaining one is a criminal offence under Section 95 of the Housing Act 2004. The consequences can be severe:

£30,000Maximum civil penalty per offence

12 monthsRent Repayment Order — tenant can recover up to 12 months' rent

Civil penalty: Up to £30,000 per offence (alternative to prosecution)
Criminal prosecution: Unlimited fine on conviction in magistrates' court
Rent Repayment Order: Tenants can apply to the First-tier Tribunal to recover up to 12 months' rent
Section 21 restriction: You cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice while the property is unlicensed
Management order: The council can apply to take over management of the property

Section 21 impact. Perhaps the most significant consequence: you cannot use Section 21 to regain possession of your property if it requires a selective licence and you have not obtained one. This applies even if you later obtain the licence — you cannot backdate compliance.

How to Apply

Check if your property is in a covered area. This is a borough-wide scheme — all privately rented properties in the area need a licence.
Gather required documents: Gas Safety Certificate, EPC, EICR, proof of landlord identity, tenancy agreement.
Apply online through London Borough of Newham's licensing portal.
Pay the licence fee (£650 standard or £500 discounted).
Await inspection and approval. The council may inspect the property as part of the application process.

Apply on the London Borough of Newham website: www.newham.gov.uk/housing-homes-homelessness/property-licensing

Exemptions

The following property types are typically exempt from selective licensing:

Properties licensed under mandatory or additional HMO schemes
Social housing
Properties where the occupier is a family member of the landlord

Exemptions should be confirmed directly with London Borough of Newham. Do not assume your property is exempt without verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about this topic.

Do I need a selective licence to rent in London of Newham?
How much does a selective licence cost in London of Newham?
What happens if I rent without a selective licence in London of Newham?
What are the requirements for a selective licence in London of Newham?
Can I be exempt from selective licensing?
When does London of Newham's selective licensing scheme end?

Buy-to-Let in LondonInvestment guide with yields and rents Gas Safety Certificate GuideAnnual CP12 requirement for all landlords EPC Guide for LandlordsMinimum E rating requirement

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Disclaimer: Selective licensing schemes change frequently. Information on this page is researched as of April 2026 but may not reflect the latest council decisions. Always verify fees, covered areas, and requirements directly with London Borough of Newham before making investment or licensing decisions. This does not constitute legal advice.

Selective Licensing in London of Newham