Tower Hamlets Landlord Licensing

As of August 2025, Tower Hamlets has 11,419 active property licences: 641 mandatory HMO, 4,421 additional HMO, and 6,357 selective licences. This makes it one of the most extensively licensed boroughs in London.

From April 1, 2026, fees increased significantly. Mandatory HMO: £977 online (£1,147 postal) plus £68.50 per habitable room. Additional HMO: £1,323 online (£1,550.50 postal) plus £68.50 per habitable room — a 75% increase. Selective licensing: £897 online for new applications (£1,034 postal), £747 online for renewals (£882 postal). Fees are split into Part A (application) and Part B (on grant).

The fee increases were approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on January 7 and January 28, 2026, then ratified by Full Council on February 25, 2026. The additional HMO licence saw the largest increase at 75% (from £756 to £1,323 online). The council cited increased enforcement and administration costs. Additional charges apply for missing documents (£98–£157.50) and floor plan preparation (£40/hr).

Yes. Tower Hamlets selective licensing expires on 30 September 2026. No renewal has been announced yet. If you have a selective licence, check with the council about what happens after the expiry date. From April 2024, HMOs in selective areas need an additional HMO licence instead.

Mandatory HMO licensing (£977 online + £68.50/room from April 2026) applies to HMOs with 5 or more occupants — this is a national requirement. Additional HMO licensing (£1,323 online + £68.50/room) applies borough-wide to smaller HMOs with 3 or more occupants since April 2024. Selective licensing (£897 online for new, £747 for renewals) applies to all private rentals in 4 specific wards since October 2021.

Selective licensing covers 4 wards: Whitechapel, Weavers, Spitalfields, and Banglatown. These were designated in October 2021, but the scheme expires on 30 September 2026. Note: from April 2024, HMOs in these wards need an additional licence rather than a selective licence.

Operating without a required licence can result in a civil penalty of up to £40,000 (effective 1 May 2026) per offence, 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.

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. Missing documents incur a charge of £98–£157.50.

Yes, provided you have submitted a valid application. You can continue to let your property while the council processes your application, which typically takes 8-12 weeks. However, you must apply before letting — operating without having applied is an offence.

Fees are paid in two stages. Additional HMO: Part A £618 (application) + Part B £787.50 (on grant) = £1,323 online, plus £68.50 per habitable room. Mandatory HMO: Part A £453.50 + Part B £583.50 = £977 online, plus £68.50 per room. Selective: Part A £422 + Part B £530 = £897 online (new applications). Postal applications cost more.