Havering landlord licensing fees — where to find the official figures

Where to find the official HMO and selective licensing fees charged by Havering. We link to the council's own published fee schedule rather than republishing figures, because councils revise them.

FAQ

Where do I find the official licensing fee for Havering? Licensing fees are set by each council and published on the council's own licensing page. We link straight to Havering's page — we do not republish fee figures because councils revise them. See the GOV.UK landlord licensing guidance and your council's published fee schedule for the authoritative position.

How much does an HMO licence cost in Havering? Havering sets its own HMO licence fee under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004. Fees typically split into an application fee (paid on submission) and a grant fee (paid only if the licence is issued), and are usually banded by the number of occupants or units. For the current figures, use the link to Havering's licensing page — we deliberately don't republish the numbers because councils revise them.

How long does a Havering HMO or selective licence last? Under the Housing Act 2004 a licence may be granted for up to 5 years. Some councils issue shorter terms (for example 1, 3 or 5 years) and may price the fee accordingly. The licence cannot be transferred — a new licence holder must submit a fresh application. See legislation.gov.uk 'Housing Act 2004' for the authoritative position.

Is a selective licence the same as an HMO licence? No. A selective licence applies to most privately rented homes in a designated area, regardless of occupancy. A mandatory HMO licence applies to houses in multiple occupation as defined by the Housing Act 2004, and an additional HMO scheme covers smaller HMOs in a designated area. A property can be caught by more than one scheme.

Is the licence fee tax-deductible against rental income? HMRC generally treats landlord licensing fees as a revenue expense incurred wholly and exclusively for the rental business, deductible against rental profits on the SA105 UK property pages. First-time application fees for a new let may be treated as capital in some circumstances. See HMRC's Property Income Manual (PIM2120) for the authoritative position and speak to a qualified tax adviser about your facts.

What happens if I let a property without a required licence? Letting an unlicensed property where a licence is required is an offence under Part 2 or Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 (HMO and selective licensing). Local authorities can issue financial penalties, and tenants or the council can apply for a Rent Repayment Order for up to 24 months' rent (doubled from 12 months by the Renters' Rights Act 2025).

Do I still need a licence if a letting agent manages the property? Generally yes. Licensing duties under the Housing Act 2004 sit with the person 'having control of' or 'managing' the property — which usually includes the landlord, even where day-to-day management is delegated to an agent. Check the council's licence application to confirm whether landlord, agent, or both must hold the licence.

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 - Havering — landlord licensing page — https://www.havering.gov.uk/information-landlords/private-rented-property-licensing - Havering — HMO licensing page — https://www.havering.gov.uk/information-landlords/private-rented-property-licensing

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