A concise guide to selective licensing in London, explaining who needs a licence, borough-specific requirements, compliance risks, and how Fraser Bond supports landlords across the capital.
Selective licensing is a borough-led scheme requiring landlords to licence all privately rented properties in designated areas - not just HMOs.
This means:
Single-let properties may require a licence
Smaller HMOs may fall under the scheme
Licensing depends on postcode location
Unlike mandatory HMO licensing, selective licensing applies to specific zones within boroughs such as Newham, Brent, and Ealing.
Landlords must confirm whether their property is within an active scheme before letting.
Typical application requirements include:
Gas Safety Certificate
Electrical Installation Condition Report
EPC
Smoke and CO alarm compliance
Fit and proper person declaration
Licence fees usually range between £500 and £900 per property, depending on the borough.
Operating without a required licence can result in:
Civil penalties up to £30,000
Rent Repayment Orders
Inability to serve Section 21 notices
Fraser Bond provides:
Selective licensing application management
Portfolio-wide compliance audits
Lettings and property management
Investment advisory and acquisition due diligence
For landlords and investors operating in regulated London boroughs, proactive compliance protects rental income and asset value.
Visit FraserBond.com to discuss selective licensing requirements and full landlord support services.
