Landlord licensing in London Borough of Merton
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 with the council.
- 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 a property in Merton.
- Typical fees
- Licence fees are payable per property and vary based on the scheme and property type. Check the council's licensing pages for current fee structures.
- Towns covered
- Merton
What this means for you
If you let a property in the London Borough of Merton, confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities. Additional licensing may extend to smaller HMOs, with designations running for up to five years and often being ward- or street-specific. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in designated areas, including single-family lets. Always check the council's licensing pages for current designations, fees, and boundaries before each new tenancy, as these change regularly. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commencing 2026) replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. Regardless of licensing, maintain an evidence pack for every Merton tenancy: a current gas safety record, 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 Merton before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.