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Lewisham Landlord Licensing

Lewisham Council operates a borough-wide selective licensing scheme that has been active since 1 July 2024, approved by DLUHC in December 2023. Nearly all privately rented properties in Lewisham require a selective licence — exceptions are Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath. Every landlord needs an EICR and Gas Safety Certificate to apply.

Borough-Wide Selective Licensing — Active Since July 2024

Lewisham's selective licensing scheme is live and enforced. Nearly all privately rented properties must be licensed. Fee: £640 per property (£160 on application + £480 on approval). If you have not yet applied, do so immediately — penalties of up to £30,000 per property plus Rent Repayment Orders apply to unlicensed properties.

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Discounts Available for Accredited Landlords

Lewisham offers fee discounts for early applications, landlords accredited with LLAS or NRLA, and eligible charities. If you haven't applied yet, check your discount eligibility before submitting to maximise savings.

Licensing Scheme Overview

Selective Licensing (Borough-Wide)

Covers nearly all privately rented properties across Lewisham, except Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath. Active since 1 July 2024 following DLUHC approval.

Per property£640

£160 application + £480 on approval

Active since: 1 July 2024 • Duration: 5 years

Mandatory HMO

Larger HMOs with 5+ occupants from 2+ households. National requirement, already in effect. If your property qualifies as a mandatory HMO, the HMO licence takes precedence over selective licensing.

Per propertyNational scheme
Scope: National • Exemption: HMO licence holders don't need a selective licence

Fee Structure & Discounts

✓Standard fee: £640 total (£160 non-refundable application fee + £480 payable on licence approval)
✓Early application discount: Reduced fee for landlords who applied promptly after scheme launch
✓Accredited landlord discount: Discount for LLAS or NRLA accredited landlords
✓Charity discount: Reduced fee for eligible registered charities

The £160 application fee is non-refundable if the application is refused. The £480 balance is payable only when the licence is granted.

Coverage — Borough-Wide

Lewisham's selective licensing covers nearly the entire borough. All privately rented properties require a selective licence unless they are in one of the exempt areas listed below, or are covered by a mandatory HMO licence.

Borough-Wide Coverage — Active

Nearly all wards and areas across Lewisham are covered. If your privately rented property is in Lewisham and is not in an exempt area, you need a selective licence.

Exempt Areas

Telegraph HillExempt
Parts of BlackheathExempt

Key Dates

📅December 2023 — DLUHC approved Lewisham's borough-wide selective licensing scheme
📅1 July 2024 — Scheme went live; applications opened
📅Now — Scheme active and enforced; unlicensed properties face penalties
📅July 2029 — Scheme expires (5-year duration, subject to renewal)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

⚠️Civil penalties up to £30,000 per property
⚠️Criminal prosecution with unlimited fines on conviction
⚠️Tenants can reclaim up to 12 months' rent via Rent Repayment Order
⚠️Section 21 block — cannot serve eviction notices while unlicensed

Required Compliance Documents

EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)Required
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Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)Required
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Gas-free declaration (if no gas supply)Required
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)Required
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Fire Risk Assessment (licence condition)
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Smoke alarms on every floor
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EICR, Gas Safety Certificate (or gas-free declaration), and EPC are required for the application. Fire safety is a licence condition — while an FRA is not explicitly required for submission, you must meet fire safety standards as a condition of the licence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What licensing schemes does Lewisham have?
Lewisham operates borough-wide selective licensing, which has been active since 1 July 2024 following DLUHC approval in December 2023. The scheme covers nearly all privately rented properties in the borough, except Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath. Lewisham also operates mandatory HMO licensing (nationwide, for HMOs with 5+ occupants from 2+ households) and additional HMO licensing.
Which areas are covered by selective licensing in Lewisham?
Lewisham's selective licensing scheme is borough-wide, covering nearly all privately rented properties across the entire borough. The only exceptions are properties in Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath, which are excluded from the scheme.
How much does a selective licence cost in Lewisham?
The selective licence fee is £640 per property, split into two payments: £160 at application and £480 on approval of the licence. Discounts are available for early applications, LLAS or NRLA accredited landlords, and eligible charities. Contact the council for the latest discount amounts.
What documents do I need for a Lewisham licence application?
You need: a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) or a declaration that the property has no gas supply, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and proof of identity. Fire safety is a licence condition — while a Fire Risk Assessment is not explicitly required for the application, you must meet fire safety standards as a condition of the licence.
What happens if I don’t get a licence in Lewisham?
Operating without a required selective licence is a criminal offence. Lewisham Council can issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 per property, prosecute (unlimited fine on conviction), and tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 12 months’ rent. You will also be unable to serve Section 21 eviction notices while your property is unlicensed.
When did Lewisham's selective licensing start?
Lewisham's borough-wide selective licensing scheme went live on 1 July 2024. It was approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in December 2023. The scheme runs for 5 years.
Do I need both a selective licence and an HMO licence?
No. If your property is an HMO that requires a mandatory or additional HMO licence, you do not also need a selective licence — the HMO licence takes precedence. Selective licensing applies to privately rented properties that are not HMOs (or not large enough to require an HMO licence).
Is a Fire Risk Assessment required for the application?
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is not explicitly required as a submission document for the licence application. However, fire safety is a condition of the licence, meaning you must ensure your property meets all fire safety standards. For HMOs and multi-occupied properties, an FRA is strongly recommended and may be required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
How do I apply for a selective licence in Lewisham?
Applications are made online through Lewisham Council's selective licensing portal at lewisham.gov.uk/selectivelicensing. You will need to provide your compliance documents (EICR, Gas Safety Certificate or gas-free declaration, EPC), property details, and pay the £160 application fee. The remaining £480 is due only if the licence is granted.
How long does the selective licence last?
Lewisham's selective licences run for 5 years from the date the scheme commenced (1 July 2024). The scheme will be reviewed before expiry and may be renewed.

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