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Property Licensing Guide for Barnet
Barnet currently operates additional licensing in 24 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.
Barnet is in the London registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 July 2027: see when landlords in London have to register on the PRS database.
Barnet Property Licensing Schemes
Barnet has no selective licensing scheme in force. A Burnt Oak, Colindale North and Colindale South scheme was approved earlier but has not started, so the £774 selective fee in the fees table applies to no property today. Only HMOs need a licence in Barnet.
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Mandatory licensing in Barnet
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Barnet (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 Barnet?
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.
Barnet operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Barnet?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Barnet does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Barnet ran a consultation on selective licensing, which closed on 15 September 2026. No designation has followed, so no selective licence requirement applies at this stage.
Additional licensing: 27 October 2022 to 26 October 2027, borough-wide (all 24 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 Barnet Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Barnet Council sets the following licence fees:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mandatory and additional HMO | £1,872 for up to 5 units of accommodation over a 5-year licence (Fee 1 £1,061 + Fee 2 £811), plus £37 per additional unit. A 10% discount on Fee 1 applies to accredited landlords and charities. |
| Selective (Burnt Oak, Colindale North and Colindale South) | £774 per property. |
Fees are set by the council and can change. Check Barnet Council’s fees and charges page for the latest figures.
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Barnet Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Barnet operate?
Barnet operates additional licensing (27 October 2022 to 26 October 2027), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Barnet need a licence?
No. Barnet has no selective licensing scheme in force, so a privately let home needs a licence only if it is an HMO. Mandatory licensing covers HMOs of five or more people from more than one household. Barnet’s additional licensing, in force since 27 October 2022, covers smaller HMOs of three or more people in all 24 wards.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Letting a Barnet property that needs a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property for offences on or after 1 May 2026. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for HMO licences on behalf of landlords in Barnet, and many manage the full process for additional and mandatory HMO licences.
How do I apply for a Barnet property licence?
You can apply for a Barnet HMO licence through Barnet Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
Does Barnet have selective licensing?
No. Barnet Council has no selective licensing scheme in force. Cabinet approved a phase one scheme for Burnt Oak, Colindale North and Colindale South, but IT delays stopped it starting. On 2 February 2026 Cabinet approved a new consultation on ten wards, with a proposed fee of £910 or £928. That consultation closed on 15 September 2026. A later Cabinet report will set out the results.
Why did Barnet introduce additional licensing?
Barnet Council introduced its current additional licensing scheme on 27 October 2022, after an earlier scheme expired in July 2021. The council says additional licensing seeks to improve management standards and conditions in higher-risk privately rented homes that mandatory licensing does not cover.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Barnet?
Barnet Council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Barnet
Barnet is a large suburban borough in North London, known for its diverse communities, green spaces, and historic landmarks. It is one of London’s largest boroughs by population and covers a wide area stretching from the bustling suburban towns of Finchley and Hendon to quieter, more rural villages like Totteridge. The area is characterised by a mix of residential neighbourhoods, parks, and nature reserves, such as the iconic Hampstead Heath Extension and Trent Park.
Additional HMO licensing covers all 24 Barnet wards. The council’s selective licensing proposal names ten: Burnt Oak, Childs Hill, Colindale North, Colindale South, Cricklewood, Finchley Church End, Friern Barnet, Golders Green, Hendon and West Hendon. Consultation on it closed on 15 September 2026.
Licensing Enforcement in Barnet
Barnet Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
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:
