Lambeth Landlord Licensing
Lambeth has one of London’s most complex licensing regimes — four overlapping schemes plus an Article 4 Direction. HMO licences use a unique per-bedroom pricing model at £520 per room, making costs escalate quickly for larger properties. Nearly borough-wide selective licensing has been in force since 2024.
Scheme 2 Live Since September 2025 — Are You Licensed?
Lambeth’s Selective Licensing Scheme 2 covering ~25 wards has been live since September 2025. Combined with Scheme 1 (since Sep 2024), nearly every ward in Lambeth now requires a selective licence. Civil penalties of up to £40,000 (effective 1 May 2026) apply. Landlords in the Streatham Article 4 area also need planning permission for HMO conversions.
Four Licensing Schemes
Selective Licensing Scheme 1
Covers 4 wards with the highest concentration of poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour. All privately rented properties in these wards need a licence.
Coverage: 4 wards
Live since: September 2024
Selective Licensing Scheme 2
Covers ~25 additional wards across Brixton, Clapham, Streatham, Norwood and beyond. Combined with Scheme 1, this gives near-borough-wide selective licensing.
Coverage: ~25 wards
Live since: September 2025
Additional HMO Licensing
Applies borough-wide to HMOs with 3 or 4 unrelated occupants. Uses Lambeth’s unique per-bedroom pricing — costs increase with property size.
3-bed = £1,560 · 4-bed = £2,080
Coverage: Borough-wide
Applies to: 3–4 person HMOs
Mandatory HMO Licensing
Required nationally for HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households. Also uses per-bedroom pricing in Lambeth.
5-bed = £2,600 · 6-bed = £3,120
Coverage: Borough-wide (national requirement)
Applies to: 5+ person HMOs
HMO Licence Cost Examples
Lambeth’s per-bedroom pricing means HMO costs vary significantly by property size. All HMO licence fees are calculated at £520 per bedroom.
3-bedroom HMO
£1,560
4-bedroom HMO
£2,080
5-bedroom HMO
£2,600
6-bedroom HMO
£3,120
If the property is also in a selective licensing ward, you need an additional £923 selective licence on top of the HMO licence.
Selective Licensing Ward Coverage
Scheme 1 — Since September 2024
4 wards with highest concentration of poor housing
Scheme 2 — Since September 2025
~25 additional wards covering most of the borough
Article 4 Direction — Streatham (Since August 2025)
Lambeth has an Article 4 Direction in the Streatham area since August 2025. This removes permitted development rights for converting family homes (C3 use class) to small HMOs (C4 use class). Landlords in Streatham must now apply for planning permission before converting a property to an HMO — adding time, cost, and uncertainty on top of the licensing requirement.
This doubles the regulatory burden for Streatham landlords: you need both planning permission and a property licence.
Key Dates
Required Compliance Documents
Annual renewal required
Every 5 years minimum
Minimum E rating required
Penalties
Civil penalty
Up to £40,000 (effective 1 May 2026)
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
How does Lambeth's per-bedroom pricing work?
How many licensing schemes does Lambeth have?
What wards are covered by selective licensing Scheme 1?
What wards are covered by selective licensing Scheme 2?
What is the Article 4 Direction in Streatham?
How much does a 5-bedroom HMO licence cost in Lambeth?
What happens if I don't get a licence in Lambeth?
What compliance documents do I need?
Do I need planning permission to convert to an HMO in Lambeth?
Is Lambeth's selective licensing nearly borough-wide?
Get Your Compliance Certificates
You need gas safety, EICR, fire risk assessment, and EPC certificates to apply for a Lambeth licence. Compare verified providers and get free quotes.