Hammersmith & 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.
What are the licensing requirements for Hammersmith and Fulham?
Mandatory licensing in Hammersmith and Fulham
Mandatory licensing is required in Hammersmith and Fulham if your rented property is occupied by five or more people who form 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 that all properties in a designated area with three or more people from two different households require a HMO licence.
Hammersmith and Fulham operate one additional licensing scheme. This scheme covers all wards in Hammersmith and Fulham, applicable to all HMOs shared by three or more people who are not all related and share facilities, running from 05/06/2022 until 04/06/2027.
Do I need a selective licence in Hammersmith and Fulham?
Selective licensing requires that all private properties in a given area obtain a property licence, regardless of the number of occupants or households formed.
Hammersmith & Fulham operate the most complex selective licensing scheme in the entirety of the UK due to it’s highly targeted street level approach. The scheme runs from 05/06/2022 until 04/06/2027 The streets covered by the scheme are as follows:
- Askew Road
- Baron’s Court Road
- Bloemfontein Road
- Blythe Road
- Coningham Road
- Crookham Road
- Dalling Road
- Dawes Road
- Fulham Road
- Goldhawk Road
- Greyhound Road
- King Street
- Lime Grove
- New King’s Road
- North End Road
- Richmond Way
- Scrubs Lane
- Shepherd’s Bush Road
- Sinclair Road
- Talgarth Road
- Uxbridge Road
- Wandsworth Bridge Road
- Wood Lane
- Woodstock Grove
How do I apply for a licence?
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has an online HMO licensing application process accessible here. For Kamma users, we offer a licence application service for Hammersmith and Fulham. Get in touch with us here to find out more.
How much does a license cost?
The fee for selective and additional licences is £560.
The fees for mandatory licences are £1,300, plus £160 for each additional bedroom over five.
These fees are subject to change and are accurate as of 18th April 2024.
Get instant access to compliance reports across all properties
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- Clear actionable advice for every property in your portfolio
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What happens if I don't get a licence in Hammersmith and Fulham?
Ignoring the law could result in prosecution by Hammersmith and Fulham Council, fines, court costs, and more. Ensure you comply with all regulations to avoid these risks. Fines for non-compliant agents can be up to £30,000 per non-compliant property, as well as rent repayment orders of up to 12 months.
If you’re concerned about unlicensed properties in your portfolio, book a free consultation today with one of our consultants to get a property licensing check here. By keeping your properties in line with your region’s licensing requirements, you can maintain peace of mind that you won’t get burnt by non-compliance.
Licensing enforcement efforts in Hammersmith and Fulham
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is strongly committed to tackling rogue landlords, as shown by a recent court case where an illegal landlord was fined £50,000 for managing unlicensed properties in poor conditions. The landlord failed to meet the legal health and safety standards required and made substantial rental income without licensing the properties. The court emphasised tenants’ rights to safe housing and noted the landlord’s lack of cooperation with the council. This significant fine underscores the council’s dedication to enforcing property licensing regulations and protecting residents from substandard living conditions.
If you’re unsure as to the properties you manage may need a HMO licence in Hammersmith and Fulham, feel free to use our Hammersmith and Fulham property licence checker to receive a free licensing report.
Frequently asked questions:
Is Hammersmith & Fulham council planning on introducing any new licensing schemes?
As of now, Hammersmith and Fulham Council is not currently consulting on any new licensing schemes.
How were the streets decided for Hammersmith and Fulham’s selective licensing scheme?
Hammersmith & Fulham’s selective licensing scheme utilised the Simplex Method, a predictive mathematical model, to analyse anti-social behaviour (ASB) and its correlation with the private rented sector (PRS). The model aimed to find the optimal concentration of PRS properties that did not exceed 20% of households or geographic area, while maximising ASB coverage.
Data from council and police databases, including noise, nuisance, litter, fly-tipping, graffiti, and property-related crime, informed the analysis. A sample inspection of over 1,000 properties also helped profile property types.
The review identified 172 streets, comprising just under 20% of the PRS, which accounted for nearly 37% of ASB and police call-outs, one-third of borough crime, 38% of environmental nuisance, 37% of fly-tipping, and significant portions of litter complaints and fire engine dispatches. Residents in these areas expressed heightened fears of crime, including mugging, theft, and physical attacks.
What are the standards for obtaining a selective licence in Hammersmith & Fulham?
To obtain a selective licence for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Hammersmith and Fulham, landlords must ensure properties are safe, well-maintained, and suitable for occupation. This involves meeting room and space standards to prevent overcrowding, maintaining the structure and utilities, and complying with gas and electrical safety regulations. Adequate fire safety measures, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, must be in place. Properties must provide sufficient kitchen and bathroom facilities, have proper waste management arrangements, and landlords must effectively manage pest control and any anti-social behaviour by tenants. These standards ensure tenant safety and property quality in compliance with licensing requirements.
Are there any planning permission requirements in Hammersmith and Fulham?
In Hammersmith and Fulham, certain building works and changes of use usually permitted without a planning application now require one due to Article 4 Directions. The council has implemented a Borough-wide Article 4 Direction, removing permitted development rights for basement developments. This directive, effective since April 2018, covers the entire borough except the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation Area.
Additionally, other Article 4 Directions restrict specific permitted development rights at various individual properties, particularly in conservation areas. These measures aim to protect buildings and areas from unsuitable alterations that would otherwise not need planning permission.
About Hammersmith & 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
