New Boroughwide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme Approved

On 30 May 2023, the Council approved a new borough wide Additional HMO Licensing scheme.  This has extended licensing to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough. View the designation map   

This means that any property which is rented to three or more occupiers forming two or more households that share (or lack) a toilet, personal washing facilities or cooking facilities needs to have an Additional HMO licence.  This includes certain converted blocks of flats (known as Section 257 HMOs), but only where all accommodation units are privately rented, and the building and accommodation units are in the same ownership or control or considered by the housing authority to be effectively under the same ownership or control. This includes buildings within mixed use developments or above non-residential premises. 

The requirement to licence under the Additional licensing scheme will come into force on Monday 18 September 2023 and will cease to have effect on 17 September 2028 or earlier if the Council revokes the scheme under section 60 of the Act. View the designation notice A copy of this notice may be inspected at London Borough of Redbridge, Lynton House, 255-259 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NY. 

Additional HMO licences granted by the council remain in force until the expiry date printed on the licence. It is important you continue to comply with all the licence conditions.  Failing to licence is a criminal offence and may prevent you from evicting tenants.

The introduction of this new scheme comes after a full consultation. Overall, it was found that there are significant issues such as poor housing conditions, ineffective management, crime, and anti-social behaviour persisting within HMOs in the borough.  

The Additional HMO licensing scheme will run alongside Mandatory HMO licensing. If your property is occupied by five or more people living together as two or more separate households a Mandatory HMO licence is required now. Visit our website to make an application.    

Online Applications will open from 18 September 2023. If you have any queries about whether licensing applies to your property, you can visit our website, email Prslicensing@redbridge.gov.uk or call 020 8554 5000.