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Mandatory HMO Fee Rises April 1 — Apply Now to Save £450

Hackney’s mandatory HMO licensing fee increases 47% on April 1, 2026 — from £950 to £1,400. If you have an HMO with 5 or more occupants, apply before the deadline to save £450.

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Hackney Landlord Licensing

Hackney Council has launched selective, additional HMO, and mandatory HMO licensing. Applications opened March 1, 2026. Enforcement begins May 1, 2026. Apply via the Hackney licensing portal.

Applications Open — Enforcement Starts May 1

Hackney licensing applications have been live since March 1. After May 1, 2026, operating without a licence is a criminal offence with penalties of up to £40,000 per offence — which Hackney has confirmed can be issued without any warning. Get your compliance documents ready and apply now.

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Three Licensing Schemes

Active

Selective Licensing

Applies to all privately rented properties in 17 designated wards — covering 76% of Hackney’s privately rented homes. Not just HMOs — any rented property in these wards needs a licence.

Per property£925
Coverage: 17 wards (see list below)
Active

Additional HMO Licensing

Applies borough-wide to HMOs with 3–4 occupants forming 2 or more households. This covers smaller HMOs not caught by mandatory licensing (5+ occupants).

Per property£1,400

Coverage: Borough-wide

Note: Section 257 HMOs are excluded

Fee Rising April 1

Mandatory HMO Licensing

Applies to HMOs with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households. This is a national requirement under the Housing Act 2004.

Before April 1£950
From April 1£1,400

Save £450 — apply before April 1

Coverage: Borough-wide (national requirement)

Near-Total PRS Coverage from May 1

Combined, Hackney’s three licensing schemes cover almost every privately rented property in the borough: selective licensing covers 76% of PRS homes across 17 wards, additional HMO licensing catches smaller shared properties borough-wide, and mandatory HMO licensing covers larger HMOs nationally. If you rent out property in Hackney, you almost certainly need a licence from May 1.

Selective Licensing Wards (17)

BrownswoodCazenoveClissoldDalstonDe BeauvoirHackney CentralHackney DownsHackney WickHomertonKing’s ParkLea BridgeLondon FieldsShacklewellSpringfieldStamford Hill WestStoke NewingtonVictoria

Available Discounts

Hackney offers fee reductions for landlords who meet certain criteria. Discounts apply to selective and additional HMO licence fees.

Early bird

£100 off

Applications from 25 Jan 2026

Accreditation

Discount available

Recognised landlord accreditation body

EPC Rating C+

Discount available

Energy Performance Certificate C or above

Key Dates

📅March 1, 2026 — Applications opened
📅April 1, 2026 — Mandatory HMO fee rises to £1,400
📅May 1, 2026 — Enforcement begins
📅5 years — Licence duration

Required Compliance Documents

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Send to gas.safetychecks@hackney.gov.uk

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EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
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Fire Risk Assessment
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Carbon monoxide alarms

On every floor with a gas appliance

Adequate bedroom sizes

Single: 6.51m² / Double: 10.22m²

Kitchen & bathroom facilities

Adequate for number of occupants

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 Hackney licensing applications open?
Applications for both selective and additional HMO licensing opened on March 1, 2026. Enforcement begins May 1, 2026, giving landlords a 2-month window to apply.
What is the difference between selective and additional HMO licensing in Hackney?
Selective licensing applies to ALL privately rented properties in 17 designated wards (£925/property). Additional HMO licensing applies borough-wide to smaller HMOs with 3–4 occupants forming 2+ households (£1,400/property). If your property qualifies for both, you need both licences.
How much does a Hackney licence cost?
Selective licensing costs £925 per property. Additional HMO licensing costs £1,400 per property. Mandatory HMO licensing costs £950 until March 31, 2026, then rises to £1,400 from April 1. Apply at propertylicensing.hackney.gov.uk before April 1 to save £450.
What happens if I don’t get a licence?
Operating without a required licence is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004. Hackney Council can impose civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence (effective 1 May 2026), prosecute (unlimited fine), and tenants may apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 24 months’ rent.
Are Section 257 HMOs included?
No. Hackney’s additional HMO licensing scheme excludes Section 257 HMOs (converted buildings with self-contained flats). Only traditional HMOs with shared facilities are covered.
What compliance documents do I need?
You need: a valid gas safety certificate (CP12) — send to gas.safetychecks@hackney.gov.uk, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), a fire risk assessment, carbon monoxide alarms on every floor with a gas appliance, and evidence of adequate bedroom sizes and kitchen/bathroom facilities.
Which wards require selective licensing?
17 wards: Brownswood, Cazenove, Clissold, Dalston, De Beauvoir, Hackney Central, Hackney Downs, Hackney Wick, Homerton, King’s Park, Lea Bridge, London Fields, Shacklewell, Springfield, Stamford Hill West, Stoke Newington, and Victoria.
When does enforcement start?
Enforcement begins May 1, 2026. After this date, operating a licensable property without a licence is an offence. Apply before May 1 to avoid penalties.
Does Hackney have near-total PRS licensing coverage?
Yes. From May 1, 2026, Hackney’s three schemes cover almost every privately rented property: selective licensing covers 76% of PRS homes across 17 wards, additional HMO licensing covers smaller shared properties borough-wide, and mandatory HMO licensing covers larger HMOs nationally. If you rent out property in Hackney, you almost certainly need at least one licence.
Are there any discounts on Hackney licence fees?
Yes. Hackney offers an early bird discount of £100 (applications from 25 January 2026), plus discounts for accredited landlords and properties with an EPC rating of C or above. Check the Hackney licensing portal for current discount details.

Get Your Compliance Certificates

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More About Hackney

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

Hackney Council Private Sector Housing

Gas safety certificates: gas.safetychecks@hackney.gov.uk

Licensing portal (apply here) →

Official licensing info →