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Mandatory HMO Licence Fee Is Now £1,400

Hackney’s mandatory HMO licensing fee rose 47% on April 1, 2026 — from £950 to £1,400. If you have an HMO with 5 or more occupants, the current fee is £1,400 — apply now to get compliant.

Apply on Hackney Portal →

Same-Day Collision: Hackney Licensing & Renters’ Rights Act — 1 May 2026

On 1 May 2026 BOTH of Hackney’s new licensing schemes went live the same day as Renters’ Rights Act commencement — ending Section 21 evictions, capping deposits and triggering the new £40,000 civil penalty regime. Hackney landlords face two compliance shifts on a single date: a licence application AND statutory tenancy/eviction reform. Cabinet approved the schemes on 27 November 2025 and the designation was published in The Gazette.

Read the RRA Guide →

Hackney Landlord Licensing

Hackney Council has launched selective, additional HMO, and mandatory HMO licensing. Applications opened March 1, 2026 and the schemes have been in force since May 1, 2026. Apply via the Hackney licensing portal.

Licensing Is Now in Force — Enforcement Active Since May 1

Hackney’s licensing schemes have been in force since May 1, 2026. Operating without a required licence is now 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

Active

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.

Per property£1,400

Increased from £950 on April 1, 2026

Coverage: Borough-wide (national requirement)

Near-Total PRS Coverage Now in Force

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 now.

Selective Licensing Wards (17) — Tap for Ward Detail

Or print the 1 May checklist →

Each ward has its own page covering local fee, RRA collision and compliance prerequisites — useful for landlords with multiple properties or local agents.

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 →Victoria →

Available Discounts

Hackney charges every licence fee in two parts — Part A (processing) and Part B (the licence itself). Reductions apply to the Part A or Part B fee where you qualify.

Accredited landlord

£100 off

Part B fee — recognised landlord accreditation

EPC rating

£100 / £50 off

Part B fee — £100 off for EPC B or above, £50 off for EPC C

Multi-dwelling property

£100 off

Part A fee — properties with multiple dwellings

Key Dates

📅27 November 2025 — Cabinet approval
📅March 1, 2026 — Applications opened; designation published in The Gazette
📅April 1, 2026 — Mandatory HMO fee rose to £1,400
📅May 1, 2026 — Enforcement began (same day as RRA commencement)
📅30 April 2031 — Schemes expire (5-year designation)
📅5 years — Licence duration

Required Compliance Documents

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Send to gas.safetychecks@hackney.gov.uk

Get quote →
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. The schemes came into force on May 1, 2026 — landlords operating a licensable property without a licence are now non-compliant and should apply immediately.
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 also costs £1,400, having risen from £950 on 1 April 2026. Each fee is charged in two parts (Part A processing fee and Part B licence fee). Apply at propertylicensing.hackney.gov.uk.
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 (in force since 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.
Is Hackney licensing enforcement now in force?
Yes. Enforcement has been in force since May 1, 2026. Operating a licensable property without a licence is now an offence — apply without delay to limit your exposure to penalties.
Does Hackney have near-total PRS licensing coverage?
Yes. Since 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 charges each licence fee in two parts (Part A and Part B) and offers reductions: £100 off the Part B fee for accredited landlords; £100 off Part B for properties with an EPC rating of B or above (£50 off for EPC C); and £100 off the Part A fee for properties containing multiple dwellings. Check the Hackney licensing portal for current discount details.

Get Your Compliance Certificates

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

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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 →

Designation notice (The Gazette) →

London Property Licensing summary →