Additional HMO Licensing FAQs

Additional Licensing is a scheme introduced under the Housing Act 2004 that requires certain smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to be licensed. It applies to HMOs that do not meet the criteria for Mandatory HMO Licensing but still present risks related to overcrowding, safety, or poor management.

A property is usually considered an HMO if it is occupied by two or more households who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

For Additional Licensing, this typically includes properties occupied by three or four people forming two or more households.

There are three main types of property licensing under the Housing Act 2004:

• Mandatory HMO Licensing – Applies to larger HMOs occupied by five or more people forming two or more households.

• Additional Licensing – Applies to smaller HMOs, such as those occupied by three or four people, or certain converted properties.

• Selective Licensing – Applies to all privately rented properties (not just HMOs) in designated areas.

• An Additional HMO Licensing Scheme, introduced on 6 August 2021, which is due to expire on 5 August 2026.

• Selective Licensing Schemes currently operate in Edgware and Wealdstone.

• In December 2025, Cabinet approved the extension of Selective Licensing to six wards: Edgware, Greenhill, Marlborough, Wealdstone North, Wealdstone South and Roxeth.

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

The council believes the scheme has been effective in:

• Improving property standards

• Reducing crime and antisocial behaviour

• Supporting wider community safety

The council is consulting on extending the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme for a further five years.

If approved, the scheme would continue to apply to all HMOs that require an additional licence under the Housing Act 2004.

The proposed extension aims to:

• Ensure tenants live in safe, well-maintained homes

• Support clean and safe neighbourhoods

• Hold landlords accountable for property conditions

• Maintain improvements achieved under the current scheme

The consultation is open to anyone with an interest in Harrow’s private rented sector, including:

• Tenants

• Landlords

• Managing agents

• Local residents

• Community and voluntary organisations

You can:

• Complete the online survey (takes around 10 minutes)

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All responses will be reviewed and considered. Final proposals will then be presented to Cabinet in 2026 for a decision on whether to renew the Additional Licensing Scheme.