Letting agents can be fined for unlicensed properties
Property Licensing Guide for Redbridge
Redbridge currently operates selective licensing in 17 wards and additional licensing in 22 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.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Redbridge is in the London registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 July 2027: see when landlords in London have to register on the PRS database.
Redbridge Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Redbridge property is already licensed, search the council’s public register of licensed properties by postcode.
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 Redbridge property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Redbridge property →What are the licensing requirements for Redbridge?
Mandatory licensing in Redbridge
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Redbridge (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 Redbridge?
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.
Redbridge operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Redbridge?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Redbridge operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2028, borough-wide (all 22 wards).
Selective licensing: 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2028, covering Ilford Town and Valentines.
Selective licensing: 8 April 2024 to 7 April 2029, covering Aldborough, Barkingside, Chadwell, Churchfields, Clementswood, Cranbrook, Fairlop, Goodmayes, Hainault, Loxford, Mayfield, Newbury, Seven Kings, South Woodford and Wanstead Village.
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?
Apply online through Redbridge Council’s property licensing portal. The council says it processes applications within three months. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence | £997.69 (New application (per property)) |
| Mandatory HMO licence | £1,865.34 (2-household band) |
Fees as read from the council’s own published schedule on 20 July 2026, not independently re-checked since; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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Redbridge Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Redbridge operate?
Redbridge operates four designations. Additional HMO licensing covers the whole borough from 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2028. Selective licensing covers Ilford Town and Valentines from 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2028, and 15 further wards from 8 April 2024 to 7 April 2029. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Redbridge need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. In Redbridge’s 17 selective wards, most privately rented homes need a licence. Elsewhere in the borough, HMOs need a licence under the mandatory scheme (five or more people) or the additional scheme (three or four people), if they house two or more households.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Letting a Redbridge property without a required licence can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, for offences on or after 1 May 2026. 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 property licences on behalf of landlords in Redbridge, for selective, additional and mandatory HMO licensing. Many agents manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Redbridge property licence?
Apply online through Redbridge Council’s property licensing portal. For a selective licence the fee is £997.69, paid in two stages (council page, April 2026 to March 2027). Kamma also offers a managed application service.
Why did Redbridge introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing schemes in England aim to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector. Redbridge runs two: Ilford Town and Valentines since 1 November 2023, and 15 further wards since 8 April 2024.
Why did Redbridge introduce additional licensing?
Redbridge Council introduced borough-wide additional HMO licensing on 18 September 2023, after public consultation. The council cites poor housing conditions, ineffective management, crime and anti-social behaviour in HMOs in the borough. It covers HMOs with three or four people forming two or more households.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Redbridge?
Redbridge Council publishes separate conditions for each HMO scheme. They set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. See the additional HMO licence conditions and the mandatory HMO licence conditions.
About Redbridge
Redbridge is an outer borough of London, located on the northeastern edge of the city and part of the historic county of Essex. Redbridge was established in 1965 from Ilford, Wanstead, Woodford and parts of Dagenham and Chigwell. Selective licensing covers 17 of its 22 wards in two schemes. Scheme 3 (Ilford Town and Valentines) opened for applications on 1 November 2023. Scheme 4 (15 further wards) came into force on 8 April 2024. Additional HMO licensing has covered the whole borough since 18 September 2023, for five years.
Licensing Enforcement in Redbridge
Redbridge Council says renting without a licence is illegal and can lead to fines or court action. 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:
