New property licensing schemes introduced in Brent and Tower Hamlets

Saturday, April 6th, 2024 - Brent & Tower Hamlets Councils

New property licensing schemes came into force in the London Boroughs of Brent and Tower Hamlets on 1 April 2024.

New selective licensing scheme in Brent

A large new selective licensing scheme came into force in the London Borough of Brent on 1 April 2024.

Within Brent, it was already a requirement for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to be licensed under the council’s mandatory HMO and additional licensing schemes. There was also an existing selective licensing scheme covering the council wards of Harlesden & Kensal, Willesden Green and Dollis Hill.

On 1 April 2024, a second selective licensing scheme was introduced covering a further eighteen wards. The only ward not covered by selective licensing is Wembley Park.

Within most of Brent, a licence is required for all private rented homes unless they covered by a limited range of statutory exemptions.

Councillor Promise Knight, Brent’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters’ Security, said: 

“We’re encouraging private landlords with properties in Brent to make their application today to ensure that they comply with the law.

“This scheme will bring about positive living standard improvements for private renters who make up half of all Brent residents. It will also give landlords and agents complete clarity on their responsibilities regarding property management and safety.”

New additional licensing scheme in Tower Hamlets

A new additional licensing scheme came into force in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on 1 April 2024.

Whereas the council’s previous additional licensing excluded the west side of the borough, the new additional licensing scheme extends borough wide. 

The Whitechaple, Weavers, Spitalfields and Banglatown area, based on the council ward boundaries that existed pre 22 May 2014, is now covered by both selective and additional licensing. Landlords and letting agents operating in this area need to ensure they have the correct type of licence for their property. 

London Property Licensing has also discovered a recent 11% rise in mandatory HMO, additional and selective licensing fees across Tower Hamlets.

Our free guides containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in the London Borough of Brent is available and Tower Hamlets is available here.

For all the latest news and events, you can sign up for the free London Property Licensing newsletter here.