Sutton HMO Licensing
Sutton Council's borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme has been live since 22 March 2026. If you own or manage an HMO with 3 or more occupants in Sutton, you need a licence. At just £285 per letting, Sutton has the cheapest HMO licensing fee in London — but note the fee is charged per individual letting, not per property (a 5-bed shared house = £1,425).
Licensing Has Been Live Since 22 March 2026
Sutton's additional HMO licensing scheme has been in effect since 22 March 2026. An estimated 690 properties across the borough need a licence. Operating an unlicensed HMO now exposes you to civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence (the Housing Act penalty cap rose to £40,000 on 1 May 2026). Get your compliance documents ready — gas safety, fire risk assessment, EICR, and EPC are required with your application.
Paper Applications Only — No Online Portal
Unlike most London boroughs, Sutton does not have an online licensing portal. You must download a non-editable PDF application form, print it, and submit by post or email. Contact the Environmental Health team at environmentalhealth@sutton.gov.uk or call 020 8770 5000 for the application pack.
Council Main Application Page — Currently Broken
Sutton Council's main HMO licence application page is currently showing a technical error (FreeMarker template failure) — no forms are visible or downloadable. This issue has recurred multiple times since March 2026.
✅ Working Alternative — Use This Link
The council's alternative application page is working and has all 5 forms available (HMO application, variation, renewal, revocation, TEN):
Download Application Forms →If the alternative page also has issues, contact the council directly:
- Email: housing@sutton.gov.uk
- Phone: 020 8770 5000
Additional HMO Licensing Scheme
What's Covered
This scheme covers all HMOs with 3 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households. This goes beyond mandatory licensing (which only covers 5+ occupant HMOs) and applies borough-wide.
Includes Section 257 HMOs
Converted buildings with self-contained flats where the conversion did not meet 1991 Building Regulations are also covered.
⚠️ Section 257 Scope Uncertainty — Conflicting Council Guidance
There is a formal discrepancy in Sutton's scheme documents. The November 25, 2025 council committee report approved including all Section 257 HMOs in the additional licensing scheme. However, the public notice and stakeholder emails state only Section 257 HMOs “where less than half of the flats are owner-occupied” are covered.
London Property Licensing has formally raised this discrepancy with Sutton Council — no resolution yet as of March 20, 2026.
If you own a Section 257 HMO (converted building with self-contained flats), contact Sutton's Environmental Health team at environmentalhealth@sutton.gov.uk or call 020 8770 5000 to confirm whether your property needs a licence — the scheme is now live.
Licence Fee
Sutton's HMO licence fee is the cheapest in London, making compliance straightforward and affordable for landlords.
Cheapest HMO licensing fee in London
Important: Fee is per letting, not per property
A 5-bed shared house with 5 individual lettings = £1,425 total. Calculate your cost before applying.
Key Dates
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Unlicensed operation penalty
Late completion penalty (must complete application within 28 days)
Civil penalty per offence (Housing Act, effective 1 May 2026)
Rent Repayment Orders
Documents Required for Your Application
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sutton additional HMO licensing start?
Which properties need an additional HMO licence in Sutton?
How much does a Sutton additional HMO licence cost?
What is a Section 257 HMO?
What documents do I need for a Sutton HMO licence application?
What happens if I don't get a licence?
How many properties are affected in Sutton?
How do I apply for a Sutton HMO licence?
What are the penalties for non-compliance in Sutton?
Get Your Compliance Certificates
You need a gas safety certificate, fire risk assessment, EICR, and EPC to apply for a Sutton HMO licence. Compare verified providers and get free quotes.