Landlord licensing in Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
London · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties occupied by five or more people forming two or more households, sharing a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.
- Additional licensing
- The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea operates an additional licensing scheme across the entire borough for HMOs occupied by three or four people forming two or more households.
- Selective licensing
- The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea does not currently operate any selective licensing schemes.
- Towns covered
- Kensington and Chelsea
What this means for you
If you let a property in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing is required for properties let to five or more people forming two or more households. The council may also operate Additional or Selective Licensing schemes in designated areas. Always check the council's current designations, fees, and boundaries before advertising, as these can change. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commence 2026) replaces assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. Keep a consistent evidence pack for every tenancy, including a current gas safety record, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection with prescribed information, and all 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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.