Research briefing · Updated 24 August 2026
London property licensing in 2026
28 of 33 authoritieshad active additional-HMO or selective-licensing schemes in the maintained dataset.
A source-by-source review shows how widely local private-rental licensing extends across London—and why an address still has to be checked against the relevant designation.
The concise finding
Local licensing was the norm, but its scope was not uniform
By 24 August 2026, 28 of London’s 33 local authorities had an active additional-HMO scheme, selective-licensing scheme, or both in the maintained dataset.
The 33-authority baseline was reviewed on 1 August 2026. Hillingdon’s additional-HMO scheme was moved from upcoming to active when it commenced on 24 August; Harrow’s previous additional-HMO designation was moved out of the active category after its 5 August expiry because no replacement designation was identified in the official sources reviewed. This does not mean every privately rented home in those authorities required the same licence.
Four findings
What the reviewed sources showed
Additional-HMO and selective schemes overlap, so the category counts should not be added together.
- 01
28 of 33 authorities had at least one active additional-HMO or selective-licensing designation.
- 02
25 authorities had an active boroughwide or area-specific additional-HMO scheme.
- 03
22 authorities had an active boroughwide or area-specific selective-licensing scheme.
- 04
1 further authorities—Croydon—showed announced 2026 scheme starts in the reviewed sources.
Schemes in transition
Published changes later in 2026 matter
The snapshot deliberately separates active schemes from future commencement dates. A landlord, agent or publisher using the figures after those dates should check the live council position.
Starts 25 Sep 2026
Smaller HMOs in the designation; not yet in force at the review date.
Open the council sourceWhy it matters
One London-wide assumption is unreliable
Check the actual address
Occupier numbers alone do not reveal whether an additional or selective designation applies. Use the council checker and current conditions.
Record the source of the request
Distinguish a licensing document request from a fire-safety duty, insurer request or internal management policy.
Link readers to verification
Use a dated borough source rather than presenting the London-wide count as a property-level answer.
Scope the instruction precisely
A property licence and a fire risk assessment are separate. Confirm the premises, relevant areas and purpose of the report.
Data and citation
Inspect the 33 authority rows
The underlying table records the status, dates, scope, direct council source and row-level review date used for this analysis.
Method and reproducibility
How the headline was calculated
All 33 authority sources were reviewed on 1 August 2026; Hillingdon and Harrow were rechecked on 24 August when their recorded scheme dates crossed. The analysis counts authorities, not individual properties or licences.
- 01Classify each authority
Record additional-HMO and selective status separately as active boroughwide, active area-specific, upcoming or none identified.
- 02Count active coverage once
An authority enters the headline count if either category is active. An authority with both categories is counted once.
- 03Separate upcoming schemes
Published future starts are not included in the 28-authority active count.
- 04Retain limitations
“None identified” describes the sources reviewed, not a guarantee that no licensing or other housing duty applies.
Sources and verification
Start with the maintained dataset
The interactive dataset lists the direct council source used for every authority. The central London checker provides a useful address route, but current council guidance remains decisive.
- Fire Safety Services: 33-authority dataset and methodology
- London City Hall: property-licence checker
- GOV.UK: HMO licence and council finder
- Housing Act 2004
Corrections: email research@firesafetyservices.org.uk with the authority, source URL and wording that should be reviewed.
For editors and public bodies
Use the finding with its date and qualification
Written media queries are welcome. We do not require an interview, reciprocal link or promotional wording. If the briefing is genuinely useful, link to this page so readers can inspect the method and current caveats.