News

New HMO licensing scheme starting soon in Brent

Monday, December 1st, 2025 - Brent Council

Following a public consultation held from March to June 2025, Brent Council have approved plans for a new HMO landlord licensing scheme.

Brent Council’s previous additional landlord licensing scheme ended on 31 January 2025 having operated for five years.

The new licensing scheme was approved at a Cabinet meeting on 13 October 2025. From 2 February 2026, the new additional licensing scheme will apply borough wide and extend licensing to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), including shared houses, flats and bedsit-HMOs occupied by three or four people.

The mandatory HMO licensing scheme already applies to larger HMOs occupied by five or more people, and two selective licensing scheme apply to properties occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers in most of the borough.

Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Brent Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“Everyone deserves to live in a safe, secure, and well-maintained home. Poor housing conditions can pose serious risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of residents, and we know that tenants in HMOs are often more reluctant to report issues such as disrepair or poor management through fear of eviction.

“The new Additional HMO Licensing Scheme will help address this by requiring all HMO landlords to meet clear standards for the letting and management of their properties. Every licensed property will be inspected and landlords will be informed of any necessary safety or improvement works. If they fail to act, the council will take enforcement action to make sure standards are upheld and tenants are protected.

“This scheme will help drive up standards for renters and support responsible landlords.”

An additional HMO licence, valid for up to five years, will cost £1,040 from 2 February 2026, up from £840 under the previous scheme. The council have said landlords who apply early can secure the lower current rate of £840 although the deadline to secure the discounted rate is unclear.

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in Brent is available here.