Landlord licensing in London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
London · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- 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
- Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and are ward or street-specific, so confirm the position for the exact address.
- Selective licensing
- Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before you advertise.
- Typical fees
- Licence fees vary depending on the type of licence required and the application process. Details of the current fee structure, including any discounts or instalments, are available on the council's licensing pages.
- Towns covered
- Barking and Dagenham
What this means for you
If you let a property in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. 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. Designations run for up to five years and are ward or street specific, so confirm the position for the exact address. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations for the specific address. Designations, fees, and boundaries in London change regularly, so check the council's own licensing pages before any new tenancy rather than relying on previous information. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing in 2026, introduces new statutory periodic tenancies, ends section 21 no-fault evictions, and establishes a national landlord register and ombudsman. Whatever the licensing position, maintain the required evidence for every tenancy: a current gas safety record where there is gas, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and the required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.
Official links
Licensing designations, fees and boundaries change regularly. This page is a general summary, not legal advice — always confirm the position for the exact address with London Borough of Barking and Dagenham before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.