Medway Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Medway
Medway launches selective licensing (7 wards) and additional licensing (6 wards) on 27 October 2026; mandatory HMO licensing already applies everywhere. The council has since withdrawn the public notice stating that date. Last checked: 8 September 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?
Medway Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Medway? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Medway 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 Medway property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Medway property →What are the licensing requirements for Medway?
Mandatory licensing in Medway
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Medway (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 Medway?
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.
Medway does not yet operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. One is designated to begin on 27 October 2026, but the council has since withdrawn the public notice stating that date and has not republished it.
Do I need a selective licence in Medway?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Medway does not yet operate a selective licensing scheme. One is designated to begin on 27 October 2026, but the council has since withdrawn the public notice stating that date and has not republished it.
Additional licensing: 27 October 2026 to 26 October 2031, covering Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton and Watling. The council has since withdrawn the public notice stating this.
Selective licensing: 27 October 2026 to 26 October 2031, covering Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North & Frindsbury and Watling. The council has since withdrawn the public notice stating this.
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 Medway Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
This guide does not yet carry a verified licence fee for Medway. Fees are set by the council and change, so check Medway Council’s licensing pages for the current schedule before budgeting for an application.
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Medway Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Medway operate?
Medway will operate selective and additional licensing (27 October 2026 to 26 October 2031), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. The council has since withdrawn the public notice stating those dates and has not republished it. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Medway 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 Medway, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Medway property licence?
You can apply through Medway 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 Medway introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Medway 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 Medway?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Medway
Medway operates property licensing to raise standards in its private rented sector. The schemes that apply are set out below.
Licensing Enforcement in Medway
Medway 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.
Applying for a property licence in Medway
A Medway 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 Medway 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 licensing application service 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.
