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Newham Landlord Licensing

Newham has London’s most extensive property licensing regime — three overlapping schemes covering every privately rented property in the borough. All schemes have been live since 2023. If you rent out any property in Newham, you need a licence.

Every Landlord in Newham Needs a Licence — Are You Compliant?

Newham’s borough-wide licensing has been in force since 2023. The council is known for aggressive enforcement with civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence (effective 1 May 2026). Unlicensed landlords cannot serve Section 21 notices and face Rent Repayment Orders. If you haven’t applied yet, do so immediately.

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Three Licensing Schemes

Live

Selective Licensing

Applies to every privately rented property in Newham — not just HMOs. Borough-wide coverage with no ward exemptions.

Per property£750

Coverage: Borough-wide (all wards)

Live since: 2023

Applies to: All private rentals

Live

Additional HMO Licensing

Applies borough-wide to HMOs with 3 or 4 unrelated occupants forming 2 or more households. Covers smaller HMOs not caught by mandatory licensing.

Per property£1,250

Coverage: Borough-wide

Live since: 2023

Applies to: 3–4 person HMOs

National

Mandatory HMO Licensing

Required nationally for HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households. Newham applies this alongside its borough-wide schemes.

Per property£1,400

Coverage: Borough-wide (national requirement)

Applies to: 5+ person HMOs

Borough-Wide Coverage — No Exemptions

Unlike many London boroughs that only license specific wards, Newham’s selective and additional HMO licensing covers every ward in the borough. There are no geographical exemptions. Every privately rented property needs a selective licence, and every smaller HMO (3–4 occupants) needs an additional HMO licence on top.

Key Dates

📅2023 — All three schemes went live
📅Since 2013 — Borough-wide licensing history
📅Ongoing — Active enforcement

Required Compliance Documents

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Annual renewal required

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EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)

Every 5 years minimum

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Fire Risk Assessment
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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Minimum E rating required

Floor plans with room measurements
Building insurance certificate
Proof of ownership
Landlord identity verification

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

Does every landlord in Newham need a licence?
Yes. Newham operates borough-wide selective licensing, meaning every privately rented property in Newham requires a licence — not just HMOs. This has been in force since 2023. Combined with additional and mandatory HMO licensing, Newham has the most extensive licensing regime in London.
How much does a Newham selective licence cost?
A Newham selective licence costs £750. This covers a single privately rented property for the duration of the scheme. Additional HMO licensing costs £1,250 and mandatory HMO licensing costs £1,400. If your property falls under multiple schemes, you need the appropriate licence for each category.
What is the difference between the three licensing schemes?
Selective licensing (£750) applies to ALL privately rented properties borough-wide. Additional HMO licensing (£1,250) applies to HMOs with 3 or 4 unrelated occupants forming 2 or more households. Mandatory HMO licensing (£1,400) applies nationally to HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households.
When did Newham licensing start?
All three Newham licensing schemes have been live since 2023. Newham has a long history of property licensing — it was one of the first London boroughs to introduce borough-wide selective licensing and has renewed its schemes multiple times since 2013.
What happens if I don't get a licence in Newham?
Operating without a required licence can result in a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence (effective 1 May 2026), criminal prosecution with unlimited fines, Rent Repayment Orders for up to 12 months' rent, and you cannot serve a valid Section 21 eviction notice while unlicensed. Newham Council is known for aggressive enforcement.
What compliance documents do I need for a Newham licence?
You need: a valid gas safety certificate (CP12), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), a fire risk assessment, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC, minimum E rating), floor plans with room measurements, building insurance, proof of ownership, and landlord identity verification.
Can I still let my property while waiting for my licence?
Yes, provided you have submitted a valid application. You can continue to let your property while the council processes your application. However, you must apply before letting — operating without having applied is an offence.
Is Newham licensing really borough-wide?
Yes. Unlike many London boroughs that only cover specific wards, Newham's selective licensing covers the entire borough — every single privately rented property. Combined with borough-wide additional HMO licensing, there are no exemptions based on location.

Get Your Compliance Certificates

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

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More About Newham

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

Newham Property Licensing Team

Email: propertylicensing@newham.gov.uk

Phone: 020 8430 2000

Official licensing page →