Do I need a landlord licence in Croydon?

In Croydon, the national mandatory HMO rules always apply — and whether extra local licensing affects you depends on the council’s current schemes below.

Mandatory HMO licensing (national)

Yes, everywhere in England

This is national law, not a council choice: any property rented to 5 or more people who form 2 or more separate households is a licensable HMO anywhere in England. If that describes your property, you need a licence from the council whether or not it runs any local scheme.

Official council source →

Selective licensing in Croydon

None that we know of

No selective licensing scheme is currently in force. Croydon's borough-wide scheme ran from October 2015 and expired on 30 September 2020, and the government refused a proposed replacement in June 2021. A new scheme covering 14 of the borough's 28 wards (including Addiscombe East, Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Fairfield, Norbury & Pollards Hill, Selhurst, South Croydon, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton and Woodside) comes into force on 25 September 2026. As of our last check we found no selective licensing scheme in Croydon — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Croydon

None that we know of

No additional HMO licensing scheme is currently in force in Croydon; only mandatory HMO licensing applies today. A new borough-wide additional HMO scheme covering HMOs with three or more persons from two or more households comes into force on 25 September 2026. As of our last check we found no additional licensing scheme in Croydon — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Is your exact property covered?

Designations in Croydon can run street by street. Check where your property stands in 3 minutes — free, no account.

Get your free compliance scoreFull audit + call — £99

Common questions

Do I need a landlord licence in Croydon?
It depends on the property: larger HMOs (5 or more people from 2 or more households) always need a mandatory licence anywhere in England, and Croydon’s own selective or additional schemes can extend licensing to other rentals — see the current position above.
What happens if I let an unlicensed property in Croydon?
Letting a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence: unlimited fines on conviction or civil penalties of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to 12 months’ rent, and restrictions on regaining possession.
How do I check if my exact address is inside a licensing area?
Designations are often street-by-street. Check the map or address checker on Croydon’s licensing pages (linked above), or take our free compliance score and we’ll flag licensing as something to verify for your property.
How much does a landlord licence cost?
Fees are set per council and per scheme, typically several hundred pounds per property for a five-year licence. Croydon’s current fees are on the official page linked above.
Can LetClerk handle the licence application for me?
Yes — checking your address against current schemes and preparing the application is part of our done-for-you compliance service. Start with the free score or the £99 audit and we’ll take it from there.