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Barking & Dagenham Landlord Licensing

Barking & Dagenham is the first London borough to use the new general approval power (granted December 23, 2024) for borough-wide selective licensing — no separate government sign-off needed. With 22,000 properties requiring selective licences alone, this is one of London’s largest licensing schemes. Additional HMO licensing launched January 2025 and selective licensing in April 2025. Every privately rented property needs a licence.

New Schemes — Many Landlords Don’t Know Yet

Barking & Dagenham’s selective licensing only launched in April 2025. If you rent out any property in the borough, you need a licence now. Penalties of up to £40,000 apply. Get your compliance certificates sorted and apply before enforcement catches up.

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Three Licensing Schemes

Live — Apr 2025

Selective Licensing

Applies to every privately rented property in the borough — not just HMOs. Borough-wide coverage.

Per property£950

Coverage: Borough-wide (~22,000 properties)

Live since: April 2025

Applies to: All private rentals

Track record: 17,556 licences approved (Sep 2019 – Feb 2024)

Live — Jan 2025

Additional HMO Licensing

Applies borough-wide to HMOs with 3 or 4 unrelated occupants forming 2 or more households.

Per property£1,400

Coverage: Borough-wide (~320 properties)

Live since: January 2025

Applies to: 3–4 person HMOs

National

Mandatory HMO Licensing

Required nationally for HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households.

Per property£1,500

Coverage: Borough-wide (national requirement)

Applies to: 5+ person HMOs

Key Dates

📅January 2025 — Additional HMO licensing went live
📅April 2025 — Selective licensing went live
📅Ongoing — Active enforcement

Apply Online

Barking & Dagenham uses an online licensing portal for all applications. Over 1,800 landlords are already accredited.

Go to Application Portal →

Licensing Discounts

Silver Compliance Discount

£200 off

For landlords meeting Silver compliance standards

Gold Compliance Discount

£250 off

For landlords meeting Gold compliance standards

Required Compliance Documents

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Annual renewal required

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EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)

Every 5 years minimum

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Fire Risk Assessment
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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Minimum E rating required

Floor plans with room measurements
Building insurance certificate
Proof of ownership
Landlord identity verification

Penalties

Civil penalty

Up to £40,000

Per offence, per property

Prosecution

Unlimited fine

Criminal record

Rent Repayment Order

Up to 12 months

Tenants can reclaim rent

Section 21 blocked

No evictions

Cannot evict while unlicensed

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Barking & Dagenham licensing start?
Barking & Dagenham has three licensing schemes. Additional HMO licensing went live in January 2025 and selective licensing in April 2025 — making them among London's newest schemes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally and has been in force for years.
How much does a Barking & Dagenham selective licence cost?
A selective licence costs £950 per property. Additional HMO licensing costs £1,400 per property, and mandatory HMO licensing costs £1,500. These are among the higher fees in London.
Does every landlord in Barking & Dagenham need a licence?
Yes. Barking & Dagenham operates borough-wide selective licensing, meaning every privately rented property requires a selective licence — not just HMOs. If you also have a smaller HMO (3–4 occupants), you need an additional HMO licence on top.
What is the difference between the three licensing schemes?
Selective licensing (£950) applies to ALL privately rented properties borough-wide. Additional HMO licensing (£1,400) applies to HMOs with 3 or 4 unrelated occupants. Mandatory HMO licensing (£1,500) applies nationally to HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households.
What happens if I don't get a licence?
Operating without a licence can result in a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence (effective 1 May 2026), criminal prosecution with unlimited fines, Rent Repayment Orders for up to 12 months' rent, and you cannot serve a valid Section 21 eviction notice while unlicensed.
What compliance documents do I need?
You need: a valid gas safety certificate (CP12), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), a fire risk assessment, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC, minimum E rating), floor plans with room measurements, building insurance, proof of ownership, and landlord identity verification.
Are these really London's newest licensing schemes?
Yes. The additional HMO scheme launched in January 2025 and selective licensing in April 2025. Many landlords in Barking & Dagenham may not yet be aware they need a licence, especially for non-HMO rentals covered by the selective scheme.
Can I still rent out my property while my application is processed?
Yes, provided you have submitted a valid application. You can continue to let your property while the council processes your licence. However, you must apply before letting — operating without having applied is an offence.
What is the 'general approval power' and why does it matter?
In December 2024, the government granted local authorities a new general approval power to introduce selective licensing without needing separate government sign-off. Barking & Dagenham is the first London borough to use this power for borough-wide selective licensing. This means the council can act faster and enforce more broadly — covering approximately 22,000 privately rented properties.
Are there any discounts on the licensing fees?
Yes. Barking & Dagenham offers two compliance discounts: Silver Compliance (£200 off) and Gold Compliance (£250 off). These reward landlords who meet higher property and management standards. Contact the council's property licensing team at PRPL@lbbd.gov.uk for details on qualifying.
How do I apply online?
All licence applications are submitted through the council's online portal at lbbd.metastreet.co.uk. You'll need your compliance documents (gas safety, EICR, fire risk assessment, EPC, floor plans) ready before starting. Over 1,800 landlords are already accredited in the borough.

Get Your Compliance Certificates

You need gas safety, EICR, fire risk assessment, and EPC certificates to apply for a Barking & Dagenham licence. Compare verified providers and get free quotes.

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More About Barking & Dagenham

B&D Providers →Compliance Guide →EICR in B&D →Fire Risk Assessments →

Barking & Dagenham Property Licensing Team

Email: PRPL@lbbd.gov.uk

Phone: 020 8724 8898

Official licensing page →