SCHEMES LAUNCHING 1 MAY 2026
Hackney Property Licensing: Do You Need a Licence?
Selective and Additional schemes mean many single lets and HMOs now require a licence.
- Selective licensing applies across 17 wards
- Additional licensing applies borough-wide for HMOs
- Civil penalties up to £40,000 per property
Do You Need a Property Licence in Hackney?
Licensing rules can vary by ward and property type. Missing a licence can result in significant fines.
In Hackney, most rental properties require a licence depending on the type of property and where it’s located.
Not sure?
Not sure?
Use our property licence checker below to find out in seconds.
You will likely need a licence if:
- You manage an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation)
- Your property is in one of Hackney’s selective licensing wards
- The tenancy has changed since the last licence was issued
Hackney Licensing Schemes (2026 Update)
Hackney has introduced both selective and additional licensing schemes to improve housing standards and increase enforcement.
Additional Licensing (Borough-wide)
- Applies to most HMOs across Hackney
- Covers small HMOs (3-4 occupants)
- Includes thousands of rental properties
Selective Licensing
- Applies to privately rented homes in 17 wards
- Includes standard single-let properties
- Replaces previous scheme areas with expanded coverage
These schemes significantly increase the number of properties requiring licences across the borough.
Hackney Has Confirmed Increased Enforcement
Hackney has introduced both selective and additional licensing schemes to improve housing standards and increase enforcement.
Civil penalties up to £40,000
Rent Repayment Orders (up to 24 months)
Public rogue landlord/agent register exposure
Licence checks and compliance inspections
Most enforcement activity happens within the first 3–6 months of scheme launch.
We Handle Your Hackney Applications End-to-End
From eligibility checks to council submission, handled correctly, first time from £295 per property.
Portfolio licence requirement checks
Full application preparation
Document review
Council liaison
Deadline tracking
Turn Licensing Into a Revenue-Positive Service
Many letting agents charge landlords an additional £100-£150 per application.
Instead of absorbing the admin internally, licensing becomes:
- A chargeable compliance service
- A new revenue stream
- A way to strengthen landlord relationships
Trusted by leading agents and landlords across the UK
Hackney Licence Applications Managed For You
Fixed fee per application. Full compliance handled end-to-end.
- Selective Licence£295
- Additional/HMO Licence£425
Managing Across Multiple Boroughs?
Each borough has different scheme rules, boundaries, fees and expiry dates.
Reduce risk by swapping manual tracking for our licensing compliance platform Kamma Suite.
Reduce risk by swapping manual tracking for our licensing compliance platform Kamma Suite.
Automated scheme detection
CRM sync
Licence tracking dashboard
Borough-wide visibility
Expiry and risk alerts
1 May 2026 Is Closer Than You Think
Applications take time. Documents need to be correct. Councils will enforce.
Hackney Property Licensing FAQs
Do all properties in Hackney need a licence?
No, but many do. HMOs typically require a licence, and many single-let properties are included under selective licensing in certain wards.
What happens if I don’t have a licence?
You could face civil penalties of up to £40,000, Rent Repayment Orders, and enforcement action from the council.
How do I apply for a Hackney licence?
You can apply directly through the council, or use Kamma’s managed applications service to handle the process for you.
How long does a Hackney licence take?
It depends on the council and application quality, but delays are common if applications are incomplete or incorrect.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes, many agents manage applications and charge landlords an administration fee.
