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Croydon Landlord Licensing

Croydon Council has approved two new licensing schemes: borough-wide additional HMO licensing and selective licensing in 14 wards. Both schemes go live September 1, 2026. This is Croydon's biggest licensing since the borough-wide selective scheme ended in 2020. Landlords should start preparing now.

APPROVED — Licensing Starts September 1, 2026

Croydon Cabinet approved both schemes on March 25, 2026. Landlords in the 14 designated wards will need a selective licence, and all HMO landlords borough-wide will need an additional HMO licence. With 53,519 private rented properties in scope, demand for compliance certificates will surge. Get your documents sorted now — don't wait until September.

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53,519

Private rented properties in Croydon

14 wards

Designated for selective licensing

1,142

Consultation responses received

Licensing Schemes

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Mandatory HMO Licensing

National requirement for HMOs with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households. Already in force.

Fee£285/room

Part A £171 + Part B £114 per habitable room. Max £5,707 per property (2025/26).

Scope: Borough-wide (national)
From 1 Sep 2026

Additional HMO Licensing

Covers HMOs rented to 3 or more occupants in 2 or more households not under the mandatory scheme. Includes Section 254 and Section 257 HMOs (converted buildings).

Fee£1,250

5-year licence (Sep 2026 – Sep 2031)

Scope: Borough-wide
From 1 Sep 2026

Selective Licensing

Covers all privately rented properties (not just HMOs) in 14 designated wards. These wards contain 60% of all private rented properties in Croydon.

Fee£800

5-year licence (Sep 2026 – Sep 2031)

Scope: 14 designated wards

Available Discounts (New Schemes)

✓£100 off — Accredited landlord
✓£100 off — Multi-dwelling application
✓£50 off — EPC rating B or above

Discounts are stackable — an accredited landlord with EPC B+ and multiple properties could save up to £250 per licence.

Selective Licensing Wards (14)

The following 14 wards are designated for selective licensing. All privately rented properties in these wards will require a licence from September 1, 2026. These wards contain 60% of all PRS properties and cover 72.5% of properties eligible for selective licensing.

Addiscombe East
Addiscombe West
Broad Green
Fairfield
New Addington North
New Addington South
Old Coulsdon
Purley & Woodcote
Sanderstead
Selhurst
Selsdon & Addington Village
South Norwood
Thornton Heath
Waddon

Timeline

2015 – September 2020

Previous borough-wide selective licensing — ~40,000 licences issued

2021

Secretary of State refused renewal — council rebuilds evidence base

January 12, 2026

Public consultation closed — 1,142 responses (58% supported additional HMO, 50% supported selective)

March 25, 2026 — Cabinet Approved

Both schemes approved by Cabinet (Item 6, Key Decision 1825CAB). Lead Member: Cllr Lynne Hale, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Homes.

September 1, 2026 — Schemes Go Live

Both schemes in force — 5-year designation to September 1, 2031. Operating without a licence from this date is a criminal offence.

Documents Required

Whether you need a mandatory HMO licence now or want to prepare for the new schemes starting September 2026, these certificates are required for any licence application in Croydon.

EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
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Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
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Fire Risk Assessment
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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Floor plans with room measurements
Building insurance certificate
Proof of identity (landlord)
Proof of ownership or management

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Croydon's new licensing start?
Both schemes were approved by Cabinet on March 25, 2026 and go live on September 1, 2026. Landlords will have until that date to apply. Applications are expected to open in advance — check the council website for exact dates.
What licensing schemes are being introduced?
Two schemes have been approved: (1) Borough-wide additional HMO licensing covering HMOs with 3 or more occupants in 2 or more households (Section 254 and Section 257 HMOs), and (2) Selective licensing in 14 designated wards covering all privately rented properties. Both run for 5 years from September 1, 2026 to September 1, 2031.
How much will the new Croydon licences cost?
Additional HMO licence: £1,250. Selective licence: £800. Discounts available: £100 for accredited landlords, £100 for multi-dwelling applications, and £50 for properties with EPC rating B or above. Discounts are stackable.
Do I need a selective licence if I already have an HMO licence?
No. Properties that already hold a mandatory or additional HMO licence do not need a separate selective licence. Selective licensing covers single-let properties and other privately rented homes that are not HMOs.
What is a Section 257 HMO?
A Section 257 HMO is a converted building (e.g., a house divided into flats) where less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied and the conversion did not comply with Building Regulations 1991 (or later). These are covered under the additional HMO licensing scheme.
Which wards need selective licensing?
14 wards: Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Broad Green, Fairfield, New Addington North, New Addington South, Old Coulsdon, Purley & Woodcote, Sanderstead, Selhurst, Selsdon & Addington Village, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, and Waddon. These 14 wards contain 60% of all private rented properties in Croydon.
What documents do I need for a Croydon licence?
You will need: a valid EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report), a current gas safety certificate (CP12), a fire risk assessment, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), floor plans with room measurements, building insurance, proof of identity, and proof of ownership or managing agent authorisation.
What happens if I rent without a licence?
Operating a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004. The council can impose civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence (effective 1 May 2026), prosecute (unlimited fine), or tenants may apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 12 months' rent.
Didn't Croydon have licensing before?
Yes. Croydon operated a borough-wide selective licensing scheme from 2015 to 2020, issuing approximately 40,000 licences. The Secretary of State refused renewal in 2021. The council has since rebuilt its evidence base and is now proposing targeted selective licensing in 14 wards plus borough-wide additional HMO licensing.
What does the mandatory HMO licence cost?
Croydon charges £285 per habitable room (Part A £171 + Part B £114) for mandatory HMO licences, up to a maximum of £5,707 per property (2025/26 fees). This applies to HMOs with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households.

Get Ready for Croydon Licensing

Both schemes are now approved and go live September 1. With 53,519 properties in scope, demand for compliance certificates will surge. Get your documents sorted now. Compare verified local providers and get free quotes.

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More About Croydon

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

Croydon Council Property Licensing

Licensing enquiries: CPRPLconsultation@croydon.gov.uk

Lead Officer: Dawn Eckersley — dawn.eckersley@croydon.gov.uk

Phone: 020 8726 6100

Official licensing page →