Kensington and Chelsea Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea currently operates additional licensing in 18 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.
Kensington and Chelsea is in the London registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 July 2027: see PRS database registration in London.
Kensington and Chelsea Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Kensington and Chelsea property is licensed, search the council’s public HMO register on rbkc.gov.uk. The register lists each licence reference, address and start date.
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Not sure whether a Kensington and Chelsea property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Kensington and Chelsea property →What are the licensing requirements for Kensington and Chelsea?
Mandatory licensing in Kensington and Chelsea
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Kensington and Chelsea (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 Kensington and Chelsea?
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.
Kensington and Chelsea operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Kensington and Chelsea?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Kensington and Chelsea does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing: 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2028, borough-wide (all 18 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 Kensington and Chelsea Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Additional HMO licence | £1,493 per property |
| Mandatory HMO licence | £1,493 per property |
Fees as published by the council, verified 20 July 2026; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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Kensington and Chelsea Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Kensington and Chelsea operate?
Kensington and Chelsea operates additional licensing (1 June 2023 to 31 May 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. The council made the designation on 20 October 2022. It covers the whole borough, and the mandatory scheme applies to HMOs of five or more people.
Do all properties in Kensington and Chelsea need a licence?
No. Kensington and Chelsea has no selective licensing scheme, so a standard let to one household needs no licence. An HMO of three or four people from two or more households needs an additional licence under the scheme in force since 1 June 2023. An HMO of five or more people needs a mandatory licence.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
An unlicensed HMO in Kensington and Chelsea 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. 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 HMO licences on behalf of landlords in Kensington and Chelsea. The council takes applications through its online portal at rbkc.metastreet.co.uk, and the fee is £1,493 for up to five units.
How do I apply for a Kensington and Chelsea property licence?
Apply for a Kensington and Chelsea HMO licence through the council’s online portal at rbkc.metastreet.co.uk. The council charges £1,493 for up to five units: £1,004 with the application and £489 after approval (licence fees). A managed service such as Kamma can also prepare the application.
Does Kensington and Chelsea have selective licensing?
Kensington and Chelsea has not introduced selective licensing. The council operates the mandatory HMO scheme and an additional HMO licensing scheme that has covered the whole borough since 1 June 2023.
Why did Kensington and Chelsea introduce additional licensing?
Kensington and Chelsea Council decided to implement additional licensing on 19 October 2022, after a consultation that closed on 20 June 2021. The scheme applies from 1 June 2023 to HMOs of three or four people that the mandatory scheme does not cover.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Kensington and Chelsea?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea, a royal borough in inner London, is known for its affluent residential areas, historical landmarks, and cultural institutions. Established in 1965 through the amalgamation of Chelsea and Kensington, the borough includes notable areas like Notting Hill, Knightsbridge, and Chelsea. It boasts iconic sites such as Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Natural History Museum. The borough’s economy is driven by high-end retail, hospitality, and cultural tourism, while its public spaces, including Holland Park and Ranelagh Gardens, offer green escapes in this densely populated area. The annual Notting Hill Carnival is a major cultural highlight.
Licensing Enforcement in Kensington and Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea 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. In July 2026 the council reported that a landlord and his management company were convicted of eight offences over an unlicensed 22-room HMO at 36 Hyde Park Gate, with fines of £30,000 and £20,000 plus £12,176.68 costs.
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:
