Lambeth vs Southwark — Landlord Licensing Compared

Side-by-side comparison of selective and additional HMO licensing in Lambeth and Southwark. Reference data from each council's own pages and GOV.UK.

South-London neighbours with comparable rental demand.

Lambeth (Greater London)

• Selective licensing: Designated areas only. Selective licensing Phase 1 in force from 2 September 2024 in Knights Hill, Streatham Common & Vale, Streatham Hill East and Streatham Wells wards.
• Additional HMO licensing: Status not yet verified. Not yet independently verified — check the council page.
• Council licensing page: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing/landlords-licensing/selective-licensing-scheme
• Council HMO page: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing/landlords-licensing/houses-multiple-occupation-hmos/licence-other-service-fees
• Full reference page: https://letsentry.co.uk/council/lambeth

Southwark (Greater London)

• Selective licensing: Designated areas only. Selective licensing in designated Southwark wards (designation made 14 June 2023).
• Additional HMO licensing: Status not yet verified. Not yet independently verified — check the council page.
• Council licensing page: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/housing/private-tenants-and-landlords/private-rented-property-licensing/property-licensing-3
• Council HMO page: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/housing/private-tenants-and-landlords/private-rented-property-licensing/apply-private-rented-1
• Full reference page: https://letsentry.co.uk/council/southwark

Mandatory HMO licensing applies in both areas: any HMO occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households needs a licence anywhere in England.

Sources: - legislation.gov.uk — Housing Act 2004 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/34/contents - GOV.UK — House in multiple occupation (HMO) licence — https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence

Last verified: 2026-06-28. Reference data only — always check each council's own page before applying.