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Property Licensing Guide for Brent
Brent currently operates selective licensing in 21 wards and additional licensing in 22 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?
Brent Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Brent? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Brent 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 Brent property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Brent property →What are the licensing requirements for Brent?
Mandatory licensing in Brent
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Brent (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 Brent?
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.
Brent operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Brent?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Brent operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 2 February 2026 to 1 February 2031 — borough-wide (all 22 wards).
Selective licensing: 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2028 — covering Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green and Willesden Green.
Selective licensing: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029 — covering Alperton, Barnhill, Brondesbury Park, Cricklewood & Mapesbury, Kenton, Kilburn, Kingsbury, Northwick Park, Preston, Queens Park, Queensbury, Roundwood, Stonebridge, Sudbury, Tokyngton, Welsh Harp, Wembley Central and Wembley Hill.
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 Brent 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 fee | £640 (Part 1 £340, Part 2 £300); renewals £600. |
| Additional HMO licence fee | £840, rising to £1,040 from 2 February 2026 (Part 1 £540, Part 2 £300→£500). |
| Mandatory HMO licence fee | £840 plus £25 per habitable room over five, rising to £1,040+ from 2 February 2026. |
London Landlord Accreditation members get £40 off.
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Brent Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Brent operate?
Brent operates selective and additional licensing (1 August 2023 to 31 July 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Brent need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs 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 bring 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 Brent, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Brent property licence?
You can apply through Brent Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
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.
Why did Brent introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Brent introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses 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 Brent?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Brent
Brent is an outer borough of London, located on the northwestern edge of the metropolis and part of the historic county of Middlesex. Established in 1965 from the amalgamation of Wembley and Willesden, Brent includes areas such as Queensbury, Kenton, Preston, Kingsbury, Neasden, Wembley, Cricklewood, Willesden, and Kilburn. The borough is named after the small River Brent, a tributary of the Thames.
Brent features Victorian suburbs, industrial zones like Park Royal, and notable sites such as the Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden. The Welsh Harp Reservoir and parks like Roundwood and Gladstone provide open spaces.. Brent covers 17 square miles (43 square km) with a population of 263,464 in 2001, rising to 311,215 by 2011.
Licensing Enforcement in Brent
Brent Council enforces property licensing across its 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:
