Landlord licensing in Gravesham Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties with five or more tenants forming two or more households, who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Gravesham Council enforces this national scheme.

Additional licensing

Gravesham Council does not currently operate an additional licensing scheme for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Landlords should always check the council's website for any future scheme introductions.

Selective licensing

Gravesham Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Landlords should periodically check the council's official licensing pages for any changes or new designations.

Towns covered

Gravesham

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Gravesham Council area, confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs, and designations are typically ward- or street-specific for up to five years. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing in 2026, replaced fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ended section 21 no-fault evictions. All tenancies require a current gas safety record where gas is present, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and all required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website