Who Needs a Redbridge Landlord Licence & How to Get One

Landlord licensing was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 to help improve housing standards in the private rented sector and to provide local authorities with more power to tackle issues like anti-social behaviour.

Licensing schemes are common in East London areas including Redbridge areas such as Ilford and Woodford, as well as Southwark and Tower Hamlets. Landlords face penalties of up to £30,000 if they are not compliant with licensing requirements, so it is important to understand your obligations.

If you are a landlord in Redbridge, this article explains the different licensing schemes you may need to apply for, the application fees and consequences of operating without a licence.

Understanding the Three Licensing Schemes

There are three types of landlord licensing schemes:

Mandatory HMO Licensing

Mandatory HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) licenses are required for privately rented properties that are occupied by five or more people, where two or more separate households live in the property. For a property to be defined as an HMO, the tenants within the property are sharing amenities such as bathroom or kitchen facilities.

Additional Licensing

In some areas, smaller HMOs that do not meet the criteria for mandatory licensing will require an additional licence. This applies for rented properties with shared amenities, typically where there are three or four occupants forming two or more households and the criteria varies across different local authorities.

Selective Licensing

The other type of landlord licensing is selective licensing, where private landlords of all non-HMO properties in areas designated by the local authority require licences.

Selective licensing is common across areas of East London, particularly where there are concerns around the standards of housing, deprivation or anti-social behaviour. Selective licensing conditions help to ensure that minimum housing standards are met and that landlords demonstrate responsible property management to protect tenants and the local residents.

Redbridge Selective Licensing Schemes

Redbridge Council operates two selective licensing schemes:

1. Scheme 3 (Valentines & Ilford Town)

If you rent out private property in the Valentines or Ilford Town wards you will require a Scheme 3 selective licence. This scheme is known as The London Borough of Redbridge Selective Licensing Scheme (Ilford Town and Valentines Wards) 2023.

2. Scheme 4 (15 Wards Borough-Wide)

The other selective licensing scheme for the London Borough of Redbridge is Scheme 4, which currently covers the following 15 wards:

Aldborough, Barkingside, Chadwell, Churchfields, Clementswood, Cranbrook, Fairlop, Goodmayes, Hainult, Loxford, Mayfield, Newbury, Seven Kings, South Woodford and Wanstead Village.

The designated areas are periodically reviewed, so to keep up to date with the latest Redbridge landlord licensing requirements, check the Redbridge Council website.

Properties Exempt from Selective Licensing

Some types of properties are exempt from the selective licensing requirements, these include:

• Business premises
• Student accommodation owned by a university
• Properties that fall under HMO licensing requirements
• Holiday lets
• Social housing
• Empty properties

If you are in the process of actions that will mean you no longer require a licence, you can apply for a temporary exemption. For this to be approved, you would need to provide evidence such as court documents proving that you are evicting a tenant or an estate agent contract for selling your property.

Licensing Fees and Costs in Redbridge

You can apply for Redbridge landlord schemes through the council website and make an online payment.

Fee Structure for landlord licensing in Redbridge

The following landlord licence fees apply (as of February 2026):

HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) Licensing Fees

HMO licensing fees are charged depending upon the households covered.

Selective Licensing Fees

These are simply charged at £890 per property.

Accredited Landlord Discounts

Accredited landlords who are members of schemes such as the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme, NRLA or British Landlords Association can apply for a discount. Accreditation qualifies you for a £35 discount for mandatory HMO licensing, additional licensing and selective licensing.

Penalties for Operating Without a Licence

Landlords who operate without the correct licence face serious penalties and consequences:

Criminal Prosecution and Fines

The local authority can issue a fine of up to £30,000 penalty per breach and serious offenders may be prosecuted under the Housing Act 2004, leading to a criminal record. Serious offences, typically related to a breach of health and safety regulations, may result in jail time.

Rent Repayment Orders

Local authorities have the power to serve landlords with a Rent Repayment Order, which could mean that landlords are required to pay up to 12 months’ rent back to the tenant if licensing requirements have not been met.

Section 21 Notice Restrictions

Another potential consequence of not complying with landlord licensing responsibilities is that landlords will not be able to legally serve a Section 21 notice to evict tenants, as they will have breached the rules.

In conclusion

As a landlord in East London, staying compliant with all your responsibilities, including licensing requirements, is essential to avoid penalties and potential criminal prosecution. As an experienced estate agent covering Stratford, Seven Kings, Waltham Forest, Beckton, Plaistow, Wanstead, and surrounding areas of East London, we can support your compliance activities. Get in touch to find out more about our services.

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