Landlord licensing in London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
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
- The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham currently operates an additional licensing scheme for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the entire borough. This scheme requires all HMOs not subject to mandatory licensing to obtain a licence if they are occupied by three or more tenants forming two or more households.
- Selective licensing
- The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham introduced a selective licensing scheme on 5 October 2020 covering several wards, requiring all privately rented properties within these areas to be licensed. Always check the council's website for the most up-to-date information on designated areas.
- Towns covered
- Hammersmith and Fulham
What this means for you
If you let a property in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham area, the first job is to 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 before you advertise. Designations, fees and boundaries in London change regularly, so check the council's own licensing pages before each new tenancy rather than relying on what applied last time. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commence 2026) replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies, ends section 21 no-fault evictions and introduces a national landlord database and ombudsman. Whatever the licensing position, keep the same evidence pack for every London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham 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 Hammersmith and Fulham before letting. Last reviewed 2 August 2026.