Landlord licensing in London Borough of Southwark
London · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. This is a national requirement.
- Additional licensing
- Southwark currently operates an additional licensing scheme for HMOs with three or four occupiers forming two or more households across the entire borough. This scheme commenced on 1 December 2023 and runs for five years.
- Selective licensing
- Southwark currently operates a selective licensing scheme in the following wards: Chaucer, Earl's Court, Faraday, London Bridge & West Bermondsey, North Walworth, Nunhead & Queen's Road, Old Kent Road, Peckham, Peckham Rye, Rye Lane, South Bermondsey, and Surrey Docks. This scheme commenced on 1 December 2023 and runs for five years, requiring all privately rented properties in these areas to be licensed.
- Typical fees
- For a five-year additional HMO licence or selective licence, the fee is £985. A reduced fee of £875 is available for accredited landlords. Part A is payable on application and Part B upon the grant of the licence.
- Towns covered
- Southwark
What this means for you
If you let a property in the London Borough of Southwark, confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households. Additional licensing can extend this to smaller HMOs, and selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in designated areas, including single-family lets. Designations, fees and boundaries in London change regularly, so always check the council's own licensing pages. 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. Landlords must also serve an EPC, gas safety certificate, EICR, How to Rent Guide, and deposit protection information.
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 Southwark before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.