Wandsworth Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Wandsworth
Wandsworth currently operates selective licensing in 7 wards and additional licensing in 22 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?
Wandsworth Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Wandsworth? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Wandsworth property →What are the licensing requirements for Wandsworth?
Mandatory licensing in Wandsworth
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Wandsworth (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 Wandsworth?
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.
Wandsworth operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Wandsworth?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Wandsworth operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030 — borough-wide (all 22 wards).
Selective licensing: 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030 — covering Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway.
Selective licensing: 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 — covering East Putney, Northcote and West Putney.
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 Wandsworth 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 | £885 (Part A £529, Part B £356). |
| Additional HMO licence fee | £1,507 (Part A £903, Part B £604). |
| Mandatory HMO licence fee | from £1,711 for a 3-bed, rising by property size to £2,117 for 10+ units (each including a £675 grant fee). |
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Wandsworth Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Wandsworth operate?
Wandsworth operates selective and additional licensing (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Wandsworth property licence?
You can apply through Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Wandsworth 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 Wandsworth?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Wandsworth
Wandsworth, an inner borough of London in the historic county of Surrey, lies west of Lambeth and spans 5 miles along the River Thames. Established in 1965 by merging Battersea and parts of Wandsworth, the borough includes districts like Roehampton, Putney, Wandsworth, Earlsfield, Battersea, Tooting, and parts of Clapham and Balham. Evidence of Iron Age and Roman settlements exists in Putney, with the area playing a significant role during Saxon times, as noted in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Licensing Enforcement in Wandsworth
Wandsworth 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:
