Havering Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Havering
Havering currently operates selective licensing in 7 wards and additional licensing in 20 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 25 August 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?
Havering Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Havering? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Havering 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 Havering property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Havering property →What are the licensing requirements for Havering?
Mandatory licensing in Havering
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Havering (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 Havering?
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.
Havering operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Havering?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Havering operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 18 March 2026 to 17 March 2031, borough-wide (all 20 wards).
Selective licensing: 18 March 2026 to 17 March 2031, covering Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham & Wennington, Rush Green & Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Alban’s and St Edward’s.
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 Havering Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence fee | £950 (Part A £570, Part B £380). |
| Additional HMO licence fee | £1,400 (Part A £840, Part B £560). |
| Mandatory HMO licence fee | from £1,329 for up to five lettings (Part A £1,063, Part B £266), rising by size to £2,130 for 20+ lettings. |
Accreditation, EPC and multiple-property discounts apply.
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Havering Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Havering operate?
Havering operates selective and additional licensing (18 March 2026 to 17 March 2031), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Havering 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 a property that requires a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent and cannot serve a Section 21 notice. 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 property licences on behalf of landlords in Havering, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Havering property licence?
You can apply through Havering Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
Why did Havering introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Havering 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 Havering?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Havering
Havering, an outer borough of London and part of the historic county of Essex, was formed in 1965 from Romford and Hornchurch. It includes areas like Romford, Hornchurch, and Rainham, and features landmarks such as the 15th-century Church of St. Andrew and Bower House. Romford’s historic street market, established in 1247, is still a major hub. The borough offers ample green space with parks like Bedfords and Havering Lodge. While many residents commute to London, Havering has its own industrial history. The population was 237,232 as of 2011.
Licensing Enforcement in Havering
Havering 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:
Applying for a property licence in Havering
A Havering licence application is made to the council on the council’s own form, with the documents that council asks for. Requirements differ between councils and change when a designation changes, which is most of why an application that was correct last year is not necessarily correct now.
Letting agents can have Kamma do it. We prepare and submit mandatory HMO, additional HMO and selective licence applications in Havering and in every other UK council area, collect the supporting documents from you or from your landlord, and monitor the application through to approval. The have Kamma submit the application page sets out what we need and what happens when a council rejects a submission.
Landlords should speak to their letting agent, who can instruct us directly.
