News

Havering Council’s first additional licensing scheme has ended

Friday, May 5th, 2023 - London Property Licensing

An additional licensing scheme that was introduced in the London Borough of Havering on 1 March 2018 has ended after five years.

The additional licensing scheme had extended licensing to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the council wards of Brooklands, Elm Park, Gooshays, Harold Wood, Havering Park, Heaton, Mawneys, Pettits, Rainham & Wennington, Romford Town, South Hornchurch and Squirrels Heath.

Whilst the scheme has ended, licences issued under the old scheme remain in force until the expiry date printed on the licence.

A second additional licensing scheme covering the council wards of Cranham, Emerson Park, Hacton, Hylands, Saint Andrews and Upminster remains in force. That scheme was introduced in 2021 and continues until 24 January 2026.

The council also has a selective licensing scheme covering the council wards of Brooklands and Romford Town. Some HMOs in those areas may need licensing under the selective licensing scheme when their additional licence expires.

Next steps

To date, London Property Licensing is unaware of any consultation on plans to renew the additional licensing scheme. The council’s website advises:

No new application required at this time for the Scheme 1 Designated Area. Please check here for updates.

We have asked Havering Council to clarify the situation and will publish any update in due course.

We are also unsure how many licences were approved under the five year additional licensing scheme. According to the council’s website, there are currently 304 licensed HMOs, although this includes properties licensed under the mandatory HMO and both additional licensing schemes.

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in the London Borough of Havering is available here.

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