Tower Hamlets Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets currently operates selective licensing and additional licensing in 20 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 3 July 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?
Tower Hamlets Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Tower Hamlets? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Tower Hamlets property →What are the licensing requirements for Tower Hamlets?
Mandatory licensing in Tower Hamlets
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Tower Hamlets (and all of England) to larger HMOs — 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 Tower Hamlets?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed — a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Tower Hamlets operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Tower Hamlets?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Tower Hamlets operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029 — borough-wide (all 20 wards).
Selective licensing: 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2026 — covering Spitalfields & Banglatown, Stepney Green, Weavers and Whitechapel.
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 Tower Hamlets Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a license cost?
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Selective licence fee | £897 online (Part A £422, Part B £530); renewals £747. |
| Additional HMO licence fee | £1,323 online (Part A £618, Part B £787.50). |
| Mandatory HMO licence fee | £977 online (Part A £453.50, Part B £583.50) plus £68.50 per habitable room. |
Postal applications cost more.
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Tower Hamlets Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Tower Hamlets operate?
Tower Hamlets operates selective and additional licensing (1 October 2021 to 30 September 2026), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Tower Hamlets property licence?
You can apply through Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets is an inner borough of London, stretching east from the Tower of London and encompassing much of the East End. Bounded by the River Thames to the south, the City of London to the west, Tower Hamlets to the north, and Newham to the east, it is part of the historic county of Middlesex. Formed in 1965 by merging the boroughs of Bethnal Green, Poplar, and Stepney, it includes areas like Spitalfields, Whitechapel, Bethnal Green, and the Isle of Dogs
Licensing Enforcement in Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets 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.
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:
