Property Licensing Guide for Tower Hamlets

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.

Tower Hamlets Council demonstrates its commitment to enforcing housing regulations through significant fines imposed on rogue landlords. For instance, two landlord firms were fined £15,303 for renting an unlicensed property and failing to address serious safety issues. Tenants did not receive essential documents like the How to Rent booklet or a gas safety certificate, and the property lacked a carbon monoxide alarm and had faulty locks. Despite ongoing problems, the landlords were unwilling to make necessary repairs. This case highlights the council’s active stance in addressing non-compliance and protecting tenants from substandard living conditions.

If you’re unsure as to the properties you manage may need a HMO licence in Tower Hamlets, feel free to use our Tower Hamlets property licence checker to receive a free licensing report.

Tower Hamlets launched a new additional licensing scheme in April 2024, the details of which are outlined above. As of now, Tower Hamlets are not currently consulting on any new licensing schemes. 

Tower Hamlets introduced property licensing to address the significant growth and challenges in the private rented sector, which expanded by 135% between 2001 and 2011. With a current housing shortage and projected population growth, the borough aims to ensure safe and well-managed accommodation. Licensing helps regulate private rentals, targeting issues like anti-social behaviour, poor housing conditions, and low management standards that can degrade local environments and community cohesion. The schemes support good landlords, force improvements from bad ones, and protect tenants, contributing to safer, more desirable neighbourhoods.

The HMO standards in Tower Hamlets are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of tenants living in houses in multiple occupation. Key requirements include providing adequate natural light and ventilation in habitable rooms, maintaining proper heating systems, and ensuring sufficient bathroom and kitchen facilities for the number of occupants. Room sizes are regulated, with specific minimum dimensions for sleeping accommodations to prevent overcrowding. Landlords must also comply with fire safety regulations, ensuring proper escape routes and installing necessary fire precautions. Regular inspections are conducted to enforce these standards, and landlords are required to address any identified hazards promptly .

In Tower Hamlets, Article 4 Directions remove certain permitted development rights, requiring planning permission for specific developments that would otherwise not need it. These directions ensure that proposed changes are assessed against development plan policies and material considerations, with applicable planning fees.

Key confirmed Article 4 Directions include:

1. Class E to Residential: Effective from 18 August 2022, this direction requires planning permission for changes from commercial (Class E) to residential (Class C3) in specific areas.
2. Residential to Small HMOs: Effective from 1 January 2021, this direction covers the entire borough and requires planning permission for converting residential dwellings (Class C3) to small houses in multiple occupation (Class C4).

These measures aim to manage development impacts and maintain community standards. Further details and supporting documents are available through the council.