Greenwich Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Greenwich
Greenwich currently operates selective licensing in 5 wards and additional licensing in 23 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.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Greenwich is in the London registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 July 2027: see what the PRS database means for landlords and agents in London.
Greenwich Property Licensing Schemes
To check an address, use the council’s licence lookup, which shows whether selective licensing applies. Mandatory and additional HMO licensing apply borough-wide to any HMO with three or more people from two or more households.
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Not sure whether a Greenwich property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Greenwich property →What are the licensing requirements for Greenwich?
Mandatory licensing in Greenwich
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Greenwich (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 Greenwich?
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.
Greenwich operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Greenwich?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Greenwich operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Greenwich ran a consultation on selective licensing, which closed on 12 October 2026. The scheme set out above is unchanged by it.
Additional licensing: 1 January 2024 to 30 December 2028, borough-wide (all 23 wards).
Selective licensing: 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2027, covering Plumstead & Glyndon, Plumstead Common, Shooters Hill, Woolwich Arsenal and Woolwich Common.
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 Greenwich HMO or selective licence?
Apply through Greenwich Council’s licensing pages. The selective licence costs £905.75. An HMO licence costs £527.82 per letting for the first five and £316.69 for each extra letting, and the council takes payment in two stages. Kamma’s team can also prepare the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence | £905.75 per property |
Fees as read from the council’s own published schedule on 20 July 2026, not independently re-checked since; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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Greenwich Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Greenwich operate?
Greenwich Council operates three licensing schemes. Selective licensing runs from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2027 in five wards. Additional HMO licensing runs borough-wide from 1 January 2024 to 30 December 2028. Mandatory HMO licensing covers HMOs of five or more people.
Do all properties in Greenwich need a licence?
Not every Greenwich property needs a licence. Where selective licensing applies, in five wards, a privately rented home needs one. HMOs need a licence under the mandatory scheme (five or more people) or the additional scheme (three or four people), borough-wide.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
In Greenwich, operating a property that needs a licence without one can bring a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence committed 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 can be fined separately.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for Greenwich property licences on behalf of landlords. Many agents manage the full process for selective and HMO applications.
How do I apply for a Greenwich property licence?
Apply to Greenwich Council through its licensing pages. The council lists the selective licence at £905.75 and the HMO licence at £527.82 per letting. Kamma can also prepare a Greenwich application for you.
Why did Greenwich introduce selective licensing?
Greenwich Council introduced selective licensing on 1 October 2022 in five wards. Its consultation material reports that in 2025/26 the scheme supported 699 proactive inspections, identified 2,643 hazards and helped improve 653 properties.
Why did Greenwich introduce additional licensing?
Greenwich additional HMO licensing has applied borough-wide since 1 January 2024, following Cabinet approval on 20 September 2023. It covers smaller HMOs with three or four people from two or more households sharing facilities.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Greenwich?
Greenwich Council sets HMO licence conditions on fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. Read the HMO licence conditions.
About Greenwich
Greenwich, a royal borough in London, is located on the south bank of the River Thames in the historic county of Kent. Known for its rich naval history and expansive green spaces, Greenwich includes areas like Blackheath, Charlton, and Eltham. It is home to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the UNESCO World Heritage site Maritime Greenwich. Greenwich Council runs its selective licensing scheme in five wards in the Woolwich and Plumstead area. From 21 July to 12 October 2026 the council consulted on a replacement selective scheme for 18 wards, with a proposed fee of £974 per property for five years. The council says Cabinet will decide towards the end of 2026.
Licensing Enforcement in Greenwich
On 13 November 2025 Greenwich Council reported 70 civil penalty notices worth over £167,000 in the previous 12 months, aimed at unlicensed landlords and managing agents. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence committed on or after 1 May 2026. 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:
