BoroughReady
Get Quotes

Camden Additional HMO Licensing

Camden Council’s borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme has been in force since 8 December 2025. It replaced an earlier scheme that ran from December 2020 and then lapsed. Apply via the Camden HMO licensing pages.

Scheme Is Live — Enforcement Active Since 8 December 2025

Camden’s additional HMO licensing scheme has been in force since 8 December 2025. Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is a criminal offence with civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence — the cap rose from £30,000 on 1 November 2025. Get your compliance documents ready and apply now.

Get EICR QuoteGet Gas Safety QuoteFire Risk Assessment

Freeholders of Converted Blocks: This Scheme May Apply to You

Camden’s scheme covers Section 257 HMOs — converted blocks of self-contained flats where the conversion did not meet the 1991 Building Regulations — where less than half the flats are owner-occupied. For a Section 257 HMO, the licensable property is the whole building, and the licence holder is the “person having control” — which can be the freeholder or head lessee, not the individual leaseholders letting flats. Under the Renters’ Rights Act enforcement regime, liability for an unlicensed converted block can therefore land on the freeholder. If you hold the freehold of a converted block in Camden, confirm with the council whether the building needs a licence.

Email Camden HMO Team →

The Licensing Scheme

Active

Additional HMO Licensing

Applies borough-wide to HMOs with 3–4 occupants forming 2 or more households who share facilities. It also catches Section 257 HMOs — converted blocks of self-contained flats — where less than half the flats are owner-occupied.

Per property£1,531

£1,297 Part 1 (on application) + £234 Part 2 (before grant)

Coverage: Borough-wide

Designation: 8 Dec 2025 – 7 Dec 2030 (5 years)

Active

Mandatory HMO Licensing

A national requirement under the Housing Act 2004. Applies to HMOs with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households. If your property has 5+ occupants you need a mandatory licence rather than an additional one.

Per propertyContact council

Confirm the current mandatory HMO fee with Camden’s HMO licensing team

Coverage: Borough-wide (national requirement)

A Renewed Scheme — Not a Brand-New One

Camden’s previous additional licensing scheme ran from December 2020 and then lapsed. The scheme that started on 8 December 2025 replaces it with the same borough-wide scope plus minor changes: new waste management licence conditions and the option for the council to grant reduced-term licences in some cases. Both new applications and renewals use the £1,531 two-part fee.

Available Discounts

Camden charges the licence fee in two parts — a £1,297 Part 1 fee paid on application, and a £234 Part 2 fee paid before the licence is granted. One discount applies to the Part 2 fee.

Accredited landlord

£100 off

Part 2 fee — recognised landlord accreditation

Effective fee

£1,431

For accredited landlords (£1,531 less £100)

Key Dates

📅Dec 2020 — Previous additional scheme began (later lapsed)
📅Jan–Apr 2025 — Public consultation on renewal
📅24 June 2025 — Cabinet Member approved the replacement scheme
📅8 December 2025 — Scheme came into force; enforcement active
📅7 December 2030 — Designation expires (5-year scheme)
📅8–12 weeks — Typical application processing time

Required Compliance Documents

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Maximum 12 months old

Get quote →
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)

Maximum 5 years old

Get quote →
Fire Risk Assessment
Get quote →
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Minimum E rating required by law

Floor plans of each room

With layout and room measurements

Adequate bedroom sizes

Single: 6.51m² / Double: 10.22m²

Penalties

Civil penalty

Up to £40,000

Per offence

Prosecution

Unlimited fine

Criminal offence

Rent Repayment Order

Up to 24 months

Tenants can reclaim rent

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Camden additional HMO licensing start?
Camden's borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme has been live since 8 December 2025. It replaced an earlier additional licensing scheme that ran from December 2020 and then lapsed. Camden Council consulted on the renewal between January and April 2025, and the Cabinet Member approved the replacement scheme on 24 June 2025. The new designation runs for five years, until 7 December 2030. Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is already an offence — apply now.
Which properties need an additional HMO licence in Camden?
The scheme applies borough-wide to HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 unrelated people forming 2 or more households who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. This is broader than mandatory HMO licensing, which only applies to properties with 5 or more occupants. The scheme also covers Section 257 HMOs — converted blocks of self-contained flats — where less than half of the flats are owner-occupied.
How much does a Camden additional HMO licence cost?
The application fee is £1,531, charged in two parts: a £1,297 Part 1 fee (paid when you apply, covering processing) and a £234 Part 2 fee (paid before the licence is granted). Accredited landlords receive a £100 discount on the Part 2 fee. Apply via camden.gov.uk/houses-multiple-occupation.
Does Camden's scheme cover converted blocks of flats (Section 257 HMOs)?
Yes. Camden's additional licensing scheme covers Section 257 HMOs — converted buildings containing self-contained flats where the conversion did not meet the 1991 Building Regulations and still does not comply — where less than half of the flats are owner-occupied. Purpose-built blocks of three or more self-contained flats can fall under additional licensing rather than mandatory HMO licensing. If you own or are the freeholder of a converted block, check whether the building needs a licence.
Can a freeholder be liable for an unlicensed converted block in Camden?
Potentially, yes. For a Section 257 HMO — a converted block of self-contained flats — the licensable HMO is the whole building, not an individual flat. The person who must hold the licence is the “person having control” or “person managing” the building, which can be the freeholder or head lessee rather than the leaseholders who let out individual flats. Operating an unlicensed Section 257 HMO is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004, and tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order. Freeholders of converted blocks in Camden should confirm directly with the council whether the building falls within the scheme — contact hmo@camden.gov.uk.
What documents do I need for a Camden HMO licence application?
You will need: a valid gas safety certificate (CP12, max 12 months old), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR, max 5 years old), a fire risk assessment, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), floor plans showing each room's layout and measurements, building insurance, landlord identity verification, and proof of ownership. For renewals you will also need evidence of completed works.
What happens if I don't get a licence?
Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004. Camden Council can issue civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence (the cap rose from £30,000 to £40,000 on 1 November 2025), prosecute with an unlimited fine, and tenants may apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 24 months' rent.
What changed in the renewed scheme?
The replacement scheme that started on 8 December 2025 keeps the same borough-wide scope but adds minor changes: new waste management licence conditions, and the option for the council to grant reduced-term licences in some cases. Both new applications and renewals use the £1,531 two-part fee structure.
How long does a Camden HMO licence take to process?
Camden estimates 8 to 12 weeks from a complete application to a decision. Submitting a complete application — with valid gas safety, EICR, fire risk assessment and floor plans attached — avoids delays. Apply early: enforcement does not wait for your application to be processed.

Get Your Compliance Certificates

You need gas safety, EICR, and fire risk assessment certificates to apply for a Camden HMO licence. Compare verified providers and get free quotes.

Get EICR QuoteFire Risk AssessmentGas Safety Quote

More About Camden

Camden Providers →Camden Compliance Guide →EICR in Camden →Fire Risk Assessments →

Camden Council HMO Licensing Team

HMO licensing enquiries: hmo@camden.gov.uk

Phone: 020 7974 5969

Official HMO licensing info (apply here) →

London Property Licensing summary →