Landlord licensing in London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to Houses in Multiple Occupation occupied by five or more persons forming two or more households.

Additional licensing

Yes, an additional licensing scheme applies to smaller HMOs occupied by three or four persons forming two or more households across the entire borough.

Selective licensing

Yes, a selective licensing scheme applies to all privately rented properties that are not HMOs in designated wards within the borough. These wards currently include Whitechapel, Weavers, Spitalfields & Banglatown, and Stepney Green.

Typical fees

Mandatory and Additional HMO licence fees are approximately £1,000-£1,200. Selective licence fees are approximately £700.

Towns covered

Tower Hamlets, Bow, Poplar, Whitechapel

What this means for you

If you let a property in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, check whether it falls inside a licensing designation before you advertise it. Properties let without a licence can lead to a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence and a rent repayment order for up to 12 months of rent. Confirm the licensing status by postcode on the council website, comply with the Decent Homes Standard, keep gas, electrical and EPC certificates current, and store the licence with your compliance records. From 2026, landlords must also adhere to the requirements of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, including maintaining a decent home standard, providing clear tenancy terms, adhering to new possession procedures, and complying with the Property Portal registration.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website