Barking and Dagenham Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Barking and Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham currently operates selective licensing in 19 wards and additional licensing in 19 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 3 July 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?
Barking and Dagenham Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Barking and Dagenham? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Barking and Dagenham 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.
Not sure whether a Barking and Dagenham property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Barking and Dagenham property →What are the licensing requirements for Barking and Dagenham?
Mandatory licensing in Barking and Dagenham
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Barking and Dagenham (and all of England) to larger HMOs — 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 Barking and Dagenham?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed — a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Barking and Dagenham operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Barking and Dagenham?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Barking and Dagenham operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 9 January 2025 to 8 January 2030 — borough-wide (all 19 wards).
Selective licensing: 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2030 — borough-wide (all 19 wards).
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Barking and Dagenham Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a license cost?
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence fees | (from 6 April 2025): Part A £650, Part B £300. |
| Additional HMO licence fees | Part A £1,000, Part B £400. |
| Mandatory HMO licence fees | Part A £1,000, plus Part B by property size — £500 (up to 5 rooms), £600 (6–9), £700 (10–14), £800 (15–19), £1,000 (20+). |
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Barking and Dagenham Property Licensing FAQs
Is Barking and Dagenham Council planning any new licensing schemes?
Barking and Dagenham already operates borough-wide selective licensing (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2030) and borough-wide additional HMO licensing (9 January 2025 to 8 January 2030), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. Together these cover most privately rented homes in the borough.
Do all properties in Barking and Dagenham need a licence?
Most do. With borough-wide selective licensing in force, virtually all privately rented homes require a licence, and HMOs additionally fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating an unlicensed property that requires a licence can result in civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, rent repayment orders of up to 24 months, and being unable to serve a Section 21 notice. Letting agents can be held jointly liable.Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Barking and Dagenham, and many manage the full process — preparing and submitting applications, liaising with the council, and tracking renewals.
How do I apply for a Barking and Dagenham property licence?
You can apply directly through Barking and Dagenham Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma to handle the process for you.
How long does an application take?
Processing times vary with the council’s workload and the quality of the application. A complete, correctly prepared application is processed fastest and is least likely to be returned for missing information.
Why did Barking and Dagenham introduce selective licensing?
The council introduced borough-wide selective licensing to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector, raising standards across all privately rented homes.
Why did Barking and Dagenham introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing was introduced to address overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Barking and Dagenham?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. The full conditions are published by the council (property licensing conditions).
About Barking and Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham is a borough in East London with a rich industrial heritage — once home to the famous Ford Dagenham plant — and now one of the capital’s fastest-changing areas, with major regeneration at Barking Riverside and Dagenham Dock. Its large and growing private rented sector is why the council operates some of London’s most comprehensive property licensing.
Licensing Enforcement in Barking and Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham Council enforces property licensing rigorously across its borough-wide selective and additional schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution, civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, and rent repayment orders of up to 24 months — with letting agents jointly liable alongside landlords.
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:
