Additional HMO Licensing Scheme

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Welcome to the Additional Household of Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Scheme engagement page.

The London Borough of Harrow is running a ten-week consultation to gather views on the proposed renewal of the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in the borough. The consultation will run from Friday 19 December 2025 to 23:59 on Friday 27 February 2026.


What is Additional Licensing?

Under the Housing Act 2004, councils can introduce licensing schemes to improve standards in the private rented sector. There are three main types:

1. Mandatory HMO Licensing
Applies to larger Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) — typically properties with five or more occupants forming two or more households, sharing facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms.

2. Additional Licensing
Extends licensing requirements to smaller HMOs that do not meet the mandatory threshold. For example:

  • Properties occupied by three or four people forming two or more households.

  • HMOs above shops or converted flats.

This scheme helps address issues such as overcrowding, poor management, and safety risks in smaller HMOs.

The London Borough of Harrow introduced an Additional Licensing scheme on 6 August 2021.

3. Selective Licensing
Applies to all privately rented properties (not just HMOs) in designated areas, regardless of size or layout. It is used to tackle poor property conditions, anti-social behaviour, and other local concerns.

In Harrow we currently operate Selective Licensing schemes in Edgware and Wealdstone. In late Summer 2025 we consulted on renewing and extending the Selective Licensing Scheme to six wards: Edgware, Greenhill, Marlborough, Wealdstone North, Wealdstone South and Roxeth. The extension of the scheme was approved at the December 2025 Cabinet meeting.


Why Additional Licensing Matters

Additional Licensing ensures that smaller HMOs are properly managed and maintained, protecting tenants and supporting safe, clean neighbourhoods.

The council believes the current Additional Licensing Scheme has been effective in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour within the private rented sector and in delivering positive outcomes for wider community safety.

The current designation expires on 5 August 2026. Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities must re-designate schemes before they expire to avoid a regulatory gap.


What are we proposing?

We are consulting on extending the Additional Licensing Scheme for a further five years to continue to improve standards in Harrow’s private rented sector:

The scheme would apply to all HMOs that require an additional licence under the Housing Act 2004.

This extension aims to:

  • Ensure tenants live in safe, well-maintained homes.

  • Support clean and safe neighbourhoods.

  • Hold landlords accountable for property conditions.


Have your say

We want to hear from everyone with an interest in Harrow’s private rented sector — tenants, landlords, managing agents, residents, and local organisations.

  • Complete our online survey — it takes around 10 minutes.

  • Attend one of our drop-in sessions to talk to officers:
    • Thursday 15 January, Noon to 3pm, Greenhill Library, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX
    • Tuesday 3 February, 10am to 2pm, Conversation Café, St Peter's Church, Sumner Road, West Harrow, HA1 4BX


Next steps

All consultation feedback will be considered before final proposals are presented to Cabinet in 2026.

Please make sure your response is submitted by 23:59 on Friday 27 February 2026.


Welcome to the Additional Household of Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Scheme engagement page.

The London Borough of Harrow is running a ten-week consultation to gather views on the proposed renewal of the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in the borough. The consultation will run from Friday 19 December 2025 to 23:59 on Friday 27 February 2026.


What is Additional Licensing?

Under the Housing Act 2004, councils can introduce licensing schemes to improve standards in the private rented sector. There are three main types:

1. Mandatory HMO Licensing
Applies to larger Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) — typically properties with five or more occupants forming two or more households, sharing facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms.

2. Additional Licensing
Extends licensing requirements to smaller HMOs that do not meet the mandatory threshold. For example:

  • Properties occupied by three or four people forming two or more households.

  • HMOs above shops or converted flats.

This scheme helps address issues such as overcrowding, poor management, and safety risks in smaller HMOs.

The London Borough of Harrow introduced an Additional Licensing scheme on 6 August 2021.

3. Selective Licensing
Applies to all privately rented properties (not just HMOs) in designated areas, regardless of size or layout. It is used to tackle poor property conditions, anti-social behaviour, and other local concerns.

In Harrow we currently operate Selective Licensing schemes in Edgware and Wealdstone. In late Summer 2025 we consulted on renewing and extending the Selective Licensing Scheme to six wards: Edgware, Greenhill, Marlborough, Wealdstone North, Wealdstone South and Roxeth. The extension of the scheme was approved at the December 2025 Cabinet meeting.


Why Additional Licensing Matters

Additional Licensing ensures that smaller HMOs are properly managed and maintained, protecting tenants and supporting safe, clean neighbourhoods.

The council believes the current Additional Licensing Scheme has been effective in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour within the private rented sector and in delivering positive outcomes for wider community safety.

The current designation expires on 5 August 2026. Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities must re-designate schemes before they expire to avoid a regulatory gap.


What are we proposing?

We are consulting on extending the Additional Licensing Scheme for a further five years to continue to improve standards in Harrow’s private rented sector:

The scheme would apply to all HMOs that require an additional licence under the Housing Act 2004.

This extension aims to:

  • Ensure tenants live in safe, well-maintained homes.

  • Support clean and safe neighbourhoods.

  • Hold landlords accountable for property conditions.


Have your say

We want to hear from everyone with an interest in Harrow’s private rented sector — tenants, landlords, managing agents, residents, and local organisations.

  • Complete our online survey — it takes around 10 minutes.

  • Attend one of our drop-in sessions to talk to officers:
    • Thursday 15 January, Noon to 3pm, Greenhill Library, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX
    • Tuesday 3 February, 10am to 2pm, Conversation Café, St Peter's Church, Sumner Road, West Harrow, HA1 4BX


Next steps

All consultation feedback will be considered before final proposals are presented to Cabinet in 2026.

Please make sure your response is submitted by 23:59 on Friday 27 February 2026.


Page published: 19 Dec 2025, 12:05 AM