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Property Licensing Guide for Croydon
Applications are open. Both schemes came into force on 25 September 2026 and Croydon Council is accepting applications now. Last checked: 20 October 2026.
Croydon currently operates selective licensing in 14 wards and additional licensing in 28 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 20 October 2026.
This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Croydon Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Croydon property needs a licence, find its ward on the council’s selective licensing page. A property in one of the 14 wards needs a selective licence unless it is already licensed as a mandatory HMO. A shared home of three or four people in two or more households needs an additional licence anywhere in the borough.
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What are the licensing requirements for Croydon?
Mandatory licensing in Croydon
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Croydon (and all of England) to larger HMOs. These are properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in Croydon?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed. That means a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Croydon operates additional HMO licensing across all 28 wards. The scheme has run since 25 September 2026 and ends on 1 September 2031.
Do I need a selective licence in Croydon?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Croydon operates selective licensing in 14 of its 28 wards. The scheme has run since 25 September 2026 and ends on 1 September 2031.
Additional licensing: 25 September 2026 to 1 September 2031, borough-wide (all 28 wards).
Selective licensing: 25 September 2026 to 1 September 2031, covering Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Fairfield, Norbury & Pollards Hill, Norbury Park, Selhurst, South Croydon, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton and Woodside.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
The new selective licensing scheme
Applications open on 25 September 2026 and the scheme takes effect on 25 September 2026.
What happens next
- 25 March 2026: designation made
- 25 September 2026: applications open
- 25 September 2026: scheme takes effect
The new additional licensing scheme
Applications open on 25 September 2026 and the scheme takes effect on 25 September 2026.
What happens next
- 25 March 2026: designation made
- 25 September 2026: applications open
- 25 September 2026: scheme takes effect
How do I apply for a licence?
You can find full details of Croydon’s 2026 licensing schemes on Croydon Council’s landlord licensing pages here. The licence fees are confirmed (below). Applications are open. Or let Kamma’s expert team handle the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence | £800 per property (£480 on application, £320 on grant). A one-year licence costs £544. |
| Additional HMO licence | £1,250 per property (£750 on application, £500 on grant). A one-year licence costs £850. |
Both schemes run from 25 September 2026 until 1 September 2031. Individual licences are granted for up to 5 years. Applications are open.
Discounts may be available on the second part of the fee: £50 where the property is EPC band B or above, and £100 for accredited landlords. Selective applications covering multiple dwellings at one address may qualify for £100 off the first part.
Fees as published by Croydon Council; subject to change.
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Croydon Property Licensing FAQs
Which licensing schemes does Croydon Council operate?
Since 25 September 2026, Croydon Council has operated a borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme and a selective licensing scheme covering 14 wards (Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Fairfield, Norbury and Pollards Hill, Norbury Park, Selhurst, South Croydon, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton and Woodside). Both schemes run until 1 September 2031.
Do all properties in Croydon need a licence?
Not all properties in Croydon need a licence, but since 25 September 2026 many more do.
- HMOs with 5+ tenants need a mandatory licence (borough-wide).
- Smaller HMOs (3+ people in 2+ households) need a licence under Croydon’s borough-wide additional HMO scheme.
- Single lets and other privately rented homes need a licence if they are in one of the 14 selective licensing wards.
What if my property doesn’t have a licence?
Operating a property in Croydon without a required licence can lead to:
- Civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence (raised from £30,000 for offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, by statutory instrument), or prosecution.
- Rent Repayment Orders of up to 24 months’ rent.
- Enforcement action by Croydon Council.
Letting agents can be fined in their own right for properties they manage. Croydon Council remains responsible for enforcing both schemes.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes, letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Croydon.
Many agents manage the full application process, including preparing and submitting applications, gathering required documents and liaising with the council. Agents often charge landlords an administration fee for this work.
How do I apply for a Croydon property licence?
Croydon landlords and agents apply online through Croydon Council’s selective licensing and additional HMO licensing pages, or use a managed service to handle the process. Applications for both schemes opened on 25 September 2026. An application typically involves completing the online council application, providing property and tenancy details, uploading supporting documents (e.g. gas safety certificates, EPC) and paying the relevant licence fee.
Croydon Council publishes a public register of mandatory HMO licences on its website. A property appears once its licence is issued, so applications still being processed are not listed.
Croydon Council publishes a public register of mandatory HMO licences on its website. A property appears once its licence is issued, so applications still being processed are not listed.
Croydon Council publishes a public register of mandatory HMO licences on its website. A property appears once its licence is issued, so applications still being processed are not listed.
How long does a property licence application take?
Processing times vary by council and the quality of the application, and can range from a few weeks to several months. Delays are common where applications are incomplete or submitted incorrectly, and high volumes during new scheme launches can increase wait times. Submitting a complete, accurate application is the best way to avoid delays. For the additional HMO scheme, Croydon Council gives applicants 14 days to supply missing information on an incomplete application. After that the application is rejected and Part A must be paid again. For the additional HMO scheme, Croydon Council gives applicants 14 days to supply missing information on an incomplete application. After that the application is rejected and Part A must be paid again. For the additional HMO scheme, Croydon Council gives applicants 14 days to supply missing information on an incomplete application. After that the application is rejected and Part A must be paid again.
Why do councils introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing lets a council require all privately rented homes in designated areas to be licensed, to improve property standards and management and to tackle issues such as poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour. Croydon’s selective licensing scheme has covered 14 wards since 25 September 2026 and runs until 1 September 2031. The council says its schemes aim to improve the quality of housing and to make sure homes are safe, well managed and maintained.
Why do councils introduce additional HMO licensing?
Additional licensing extends HMO regulation to smaller HMOs (three or more people in two or more households) that are not covered by mandatory licensing, to improve safety and management standards. Croydon’s additional HMO licensing scheme has applied borough-wide since 25 September 2026 and runs until 1 September 2031.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence?
Croydon Council publishes the licence conditions for its additional HMO scheme on its website. HMO licence conditions typically cover minimum room sizes and amenity standards, fire safety (smoke alarms, fire doors and escape routes), gas and electrical safety, secure access, effective waste management and good repair. Landlords are also responsible for managing tenant behaviour. Non-compliance can lead to fines, penalties or revocation of the licence.
About Croydon
Croydon has 28 wards. Selective licensing covers 14 of them, and additional HMO licensing covers all 28. Croydon Council’s Cabinet approved both schemes on 25 March 2026. A public notice of 27 August 2026 moved the start date to 25 September 2026.
The council says the schemes aim to improve the quality of housing and to make sure homes are safe, well managed and maintained. It has appointed The Oyster Partnership to handle applications and inspections. The council remains responsible for enforcement.
Licensing Enforcement in Croydon
Since 25 September 2026, Croydon has operated a borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme and a selective licensing scheme covering 14 wards, alongside mandatory HMO licensing. The council states that it remains responsible for enforcement. Operating a property that requires a licence without one is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution, financial penalties and rent repayment orders. Letting agents can be fined in their own right for properties they manage.
Neighbouring borough guides
Licensing schemes stop at the borough boundary. A property one street over can need a different licence. Guides for the neighbouring boroughs:
