Property Licensing Guide for Waltham Forest
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.
Waltham Forest Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Waltham Forest? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Waltham Forest and how to apply for a licence.
Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.
What are the licensing requirements for Waltham Forest?
Mandatory licensing in Waltham Forest
Mandatory licensing is required in Waltham Forest if your rented property is occupied by five or more people who form 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 Waltham Forest?
Additional licensing expands the scope of regulation to smaller HMO’s, requiring that all HMO’s in a given area with three or more people from more than one household must obtain a licence.
Waltham Forest currently operates one additional licensing scheme covering the entire borough. The scheme is set to end on the 30th April 2025, in which a new additional scheme will immediately be introduced for another five year period until 31st March 2030.
This means that if you already have an additional licence in Waltham Forest, you will be required to apply again upon the termination of the original scheme.
Do I need a selective licence in Waltham Forest?
Selective licensing requires that all privately rented properties in a given area must obtain a licence, regardless of the number of occupants or households formed.
Waltham Forest operates one selective licensing scheme covering all wards in the area except for Endlebury. The scheme runs until 1st May 2025.
Waltham Forest also consulted to continue this selective scheme upon its termination to cover all wards in the borough except for Endlebury and Hatch Lane & Highman Parks North. Waltham Forest council have since agreed that the scheme is to go ahead on the 9th July 2024, but no firm date or designation has been set yet.
This means it’s likely that if you currently hold a selective licence in Waltham Forest, you will be required to apply again once the new scheme begins. We will update this page with new information as it becomes available.
How do I apply for a licence?
Waltham Forest Council has an online HMO licensing application process accessible here. For Kamma users, we offer a licence application service for Waltham Forest. Get in touch with us here to find out more.
How much does a license cost?
Mandatory licensing fee: £1,500 for a HMO with up to 8 units, £2,000 for a HMO with 9 to 19 units, £5,000 for 20 units or more
Additional licensing fee: £1,000
Selective licensing fee: £700
These fees are subject to change and are accurate as of August 2024.
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What happens if I don't get a licence in Waltham Forest?
Ignoring the law could result in prosecution by Waltham Forest Council, fines, court costs, and more. Ensure you comply with all regulations to avoid these risks. Fines for non-compliant agents can be up to £30,000 per non-compliant property, as well as rent repayment orders of up to 12 months.
If you’re concerned about unlicensed properties in your portfolio, book a free consultation today with one of our consultants to get a property licensing check here. By keeping your properties in line with your region’s licensing requirements, you can maintain peace of mind that you won’t get burnt by non-compliance.
Licensing enforcement efforts in Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest is notorious for being the biggest licensing enforcer in London and across the UK. In 2024 alone, Waltham Forest had the most fines in the Mayor of London Rogue Landlord Database. As of August 2024, the council has reported 83 fines, 80 of which are directly related to licensing. The total fines for the borough so far in 2024 sum up to over £900k, emphasising the importance of compliance in the borough.
If you’re unsure if your property in Waltham Forest requires a licence, use our free Waltham Forest property licence checker to receive a report for a property of your choice.
Frequently asked questions:
Is Waltham Forest council planning on introducing any new licensing schemes?
Waltham Forest are planning to continue both their additional and selective licensing schemes once they terminate in 2025. The new additional scheme is confirmed to kick off on 1st April 2025. The selective scheme has also been agreed upon but is awaiting further details on the start date and designation. We will update this page with more information as it becomes available.
Why has Waltham Forest chosen to extend its additional licensing scheme?
Waltham Forest has chosen to extend its additional licensing scheme for HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) across the entire borough due to the significant evidence of poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour (ASB) linked to these types of properties. The council aims to improve the management and safety of HMOs, which are often linked to higher levels of ASB and substandard living conditions. Extending the licensing scheme allows the council to enforce better standards and ensure that landlords manage their properties responsibly .
Why has Waltham Forest chosen to extend its selective licensing scheme?
The selective licensing scheme has been extended in Waltham Forest to cover 20 of the 22 wards in the borough. The decision was based on substantial evidence of poor property conditions and persistent ASB in these areas. The council believes that continuing the selective licensing scheme is necessary to address these issues systematically, ensuring that landlords maintain their properties to a higher standard and help reduce ASB across the borough. The scheme also enables the council to have a more cohesive approach to managing the private rented sector, improving the overall living conditions for tenants .
Do landlords agree with the continuation of Waltham Forest’s licensing measures?
Landlords in Waltham Forest generally do not agree with the extension of the two licensing schemes. From the consultation responses, 398 out of 544 respondents were landlords, and many expressed concerns that the schemes are unnecessary, costly, and place an undue burden on responsible landlords. They argue that the licensing fees may lead to increased rents for tenants and that the schemes unfairly penalise compliant landlords while potentially failing to address issues with non-compliant ones. In particular, 123 respondents commented that licensing is not effective in improving housing conditions or reducing antisocial behaviour (ASB), and 92 landlords raised concerns that the schemes could negatively impact tenants by increasing rents.
About Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest is an outer borough of London, located on the northeastern edge of the city and bordering Essex to the north. Formed in 1965 from the merger of Chingford, Leyton, and Walthamstow, it has a rich history with roots in the Domesday Book of 1086. Originally rural, the area urbanised in the 19th century with the arrival of the railways. Notable sites include Queen Elizabeth I’s hunting lodge and the home of 19th-century craftsman William Morris. The borough, predominantly residential with some industrial zones, also features extensive parks and green spaces. Waltham Forest covers 15 square miles (40 square km) and had a population of 258,249 in 2011.
