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Property Licensing Guide for Hammersmith and Fulham
Hammersmith and Fulham currently operates selective licensing in 21 wards and additional licensing in 21 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?
Hammersmith and Fulham Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Hammersmith and Fulham? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Hammersmith and Fulham 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 Hammersmith and Fulham property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Hammersmith and Fulham property →What are the licensing requirements for Hammersmith and Fulham?
Mandatory licensing in Hammersmith and Fulham
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Hammersmith and Fulham (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 Hammersmith and Fulham?
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.
Hammersmith and Fulham operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Hammersmith and Fulham?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Hammersmith and Fulham operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 5 June 2022 to 4 June 2027 — borough-wide (all 21 wards).
Selective licensing: 5 June 2022 to 4 June 2027 — borough-wide (all 21 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 Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a license cost?
Hammersmith & Fulham Council sets the following licence fees:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO | £1,656 for a 5-bedroom HMO, plus £183 per additional bedroom. |
| Additional HMO | £755. |
| Selective | £755. |
One discount applies per licence: £80 off for members of an accredited body, or £50 off for landlords signed up to the council’s rental charter. Fees are set by the council and can change — check the council’s licensing pages for the latest figures.
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Hammersmith and Fulham Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Hammersmith and Fulham operate?
Hammersmith and Fulham operates selective and additional licensing (5 June 2022 to 4 June 2027), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Hammersmith and Fulham 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 Hammersmith and Fulham, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Hammersmith and Fulham property licence?
You can apply through Hammersmith and Fulham 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 Hammersmith and Fulham introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Hammersmith and Fulham 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 Hammersmith and Fulham?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Hammersmith and Fulham
Hammersmith and Fulham is an inner borough of London, part of the historic county of Middlesex. Situated north of the River Thames and west of Kensington and Chelsea, it was established in 1965 from the amalgamation of the former metropolitan boroughs of Fulham and Hammersmith. The borough includes areas such as Wormwood Scrubs, White City, Shepherd’s Bush, Hammersmith, and Fulham.
Predominantly residential, it features many 19th-century houses. Notable landmarks include Fulham Palace, Olympia exhibition centre, Hurlingham Park, and the grounds of Chelsea, Fulham, and Queen’s Park Rangers football clubs. The borough is also home to the BBC’s television headquarters and Kelmscott House, the former home of William Morris. It hosts the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and has large shopping centres in Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush, and Hammersmith. Covering an area of 6 square miles, the population was 182,493 in 2011
Licensing Enforcement in Hammersmith and Fulham
Hammersmith and Fulham 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:
