News

New property licensing schemes being introduced in Havering

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 - Havering Council

Havering Council are introducing new additional and selective landlord licensing schemes to replace the previous schemes that ended on 24 January 2026.

The council say this will strengthen its commitment to improving housing standards and ensuring safer, better-quality accommodation for private tenants. The intention is to tackle poor housing conditions, reduce anti-social behaviour, and ensure landlords meet their responsibilities to provide safe, well-managed homes for local people.

Additional licensing scheme being extended borough wide

Havering Council is introducing a borough wide additional licensing scheme starting on 18 March 2026. This replaces the previous additional licensing scheme which was restricted to six wards.

The new additional licensing scheme includes Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that fall outside the remit of mandatory HMO licensing. It includes properties shared by three or four people who are not all related and share facilities.

New selective licensing scheme covers a wider area

Havering Council is introducing a selective licensing scheme starting on 18 March 2026. This replaces the previous selective licensing scheme which was restricted to two wards.

The new selective licensing scheme extends licensing to all properties occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers in seven council wards:

Beam Park
Harold Wood
Rainham & Wennington
Rush Green & Crowlands
Squirrels Heath
St Alban’s
St Edwards

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: 

“Our priority is to help protect residents and support responsible landlords. We have some of the highest levels of private renting compared to other London boroughs.

“These licensing schemes will help us raise standards, tackle poor property management, and ensure that everyone in Havering has access to safe, secure and well-maintained homes.

“Many landlords already do the right thing, but this licensing helps create a level playing field by targeting those who do not. We want those landlords who don’t comply, to know we will take the strongest action against them.“

You can find out more by visiting the council’s website, calling 01708 432777 / 01708 432006 or emailing landlordlicensing@havering.gov.uk.

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