Licensing Scheme Revenue Data
Just how much money are councils reaping from licensing schemes? View our comprehensive data on licensed properties and revenues across councils with our interactive table
| Local Authority | Additional Revenue | Selective Revenue | Mandatory Revenue | Total Revenue |
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About the Data
This dataset has been meticulously compiled by Kamma through public registers, official council websites, and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests across the UK. It represents the most comprehensive collection of property licensing information available as of March 2025.
Data accuracy: March 2025. Some councils may have updated their registers since this date.
Key Council Insights
Revenue Leaders
- Southwark £23.4 million
- Waltham Forest £18.0 million
- Haringey £16.5 million
- Nottingham £15.8 million
London boroughs dominate revenue generation, with Southwark leading at over £23 million.
Property Volume Leaders
- Waltham Forest 24,102 properties
- Nottingham 23,821 properties
- Southwark 21,062 properties
- Enfield 18,881 properties
Waltham Forest leads with over 24,000 licensed properties, closely followed by Nottingham.
Selective Licensing
Waltham Forest leads with 22,410 selectively licensed properties, generating £15.7 million in revenue.
Mandatory HMO
Edinburgh leads with 12,627 mandatory HMO licenses, generating £13.8 million in revenue.
Additional Licensing
Southwark leads with 7,864 additional licenses, generating £10.2 million in revenue.
Regional Trends
London boroughs dominate the top revenue-generating councils, with Southwark, Waltham Forest, and Haringey in the top positions. However, cities like Nottingham, Edinburgh, and Newcastle also feature prominently, showing the nationwide adoption of licensing schemes.
Access the UK's most comprehensive property licensing database
Kamma has access to data on all licensed properties across the UK. Get in touch to see if you qualify for a free health check on your property portfolio to find out what properties are missing a licence.
Understanding Property Licensing Types
Mandatory HMO
Mandatory licensing applies to larger Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) where 5 or more people from 2 or more households share facilities. This type of licensing is required by law across all councils in England and Wales to ensure minimum safety standards.
Additional Licensing
Additional licensing extends mandatory requirements to smaller HMOs with 3 or 4 occupants from 2 or more households. These schemes are introduced at the discretion of local councils in specific areas to tackle problems like poor property conditions.
Selective Licensing
Selective licensing applies to all private rented properties in designated areas, regardless of size or occupancy. Councils implement these schemes to address issues like low housing demand, significant anti-social behavior, or poor property conditions.
Note: Licensing schemes vary between councils, with different fees, conditions, and implementation timelines. Letting agents and landlords should check with their local authority for specific requirements applicable to their properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
A property licence is a legal requirement for certain rental properties, ensuring they meet safety, management, and occupancy standards set by the local council. Different types of licences apply depending on the property's size, location, and tenant type.
Councils use licensing revenue to cover the costs of administering and enforcing property licensing schemes. This includes inspecting properties, processing applications, taking enforcement action against unlicensed landlords, and improving housing standards.
You can use Kamma's free property licence checker to see what licensing requirements apply for any property across the UK and Wales.
To check if your property is licensed, find your local council's HMO register on the council website and see if your address is on there. You can also use Kamma's property licensing guides to see specific licensing advice to you area.
Yes, Kamma has the latest data on every licensed property across the UK. If you would like a health check on your property portfolio to see which properties are missing a licence, please get in touch.
Kamma provides software to over 100 letting agents and surveyors which offers 24/7 automated licensing compliance, with alerts on changing licensing legislation tailored to your property portfolio.
