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 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 four tenants forming two or more households.
- Selective licensing
- The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has had selective licensing schemes in place covering several wards. As of October 2025, a new selective licensing scheme was designated to commence from 1 February 2026, covering all privately rented properties in the wards of Addison, Askew, Avonmore and Brook Green, College Park and Old Oak, Fulham Broadway, Munster, North End, Palewell, Parsons Green and Sandford, Shepherd's Bush Green, and Wormholt and White City. Check the council's website for precise boundaries and the latest scheme details.
- Towns covered
- Hammersmith and Fulham
What this means for you
If you let a property in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham area, 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 can be ward or street-specific. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Always check the current designations for the specific address, as designations, fees, and boundaries in London change regularly. For every tenancy, retain an evidence pack including 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, including the How to Rent guide and the property's Energy Performance Certificate.
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 1 October 2026.