Landlord licensing in London Borough of Hounslow

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 Hounslow has implemented an additional licensing scheme for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This scheme covers HMOs that are not subject to mandatory licensing and are occupied by three or four tenants forming two or more households.

Selective licensing

The London Borough of Hounslow has multiple selective licensing schemes in operation, covering various wards and streets. These schemes require all privately rented properties, including single-family lets, within the designated areas to be licensed.

Towns covered

Hounslow

What this means for you

If you let a property in the London Borough of Hounslow 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. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commence 2026) replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. Whatever the licensing position, landlords must hold 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 all required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website