Do I need a landlord licence in Dartford?

In Dartford, 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 Dartford

None that we know of

No selective licensing scheme is in force. Dartford's 2026 Houses in Multiple Occupation Policy states that at present there are no plans to introduce additional or selective licensing in Dartford, though the situation will be kept under review. As of our last check we found no selective licensing scheme in Dartford — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Dartford

None that we know of

No additional HMO licensing designation exists. The council states licensable HMOs are currently those with five or more persons in two or more households, and separately notes that some converted buildings with self-contained units meeting the HMO definition still fall outside the licensing system - confirming section 257 HMOs are not caught locally. As of our last check we found no additional licensing scheme in Dartford — 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 Dartford 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 Dartford?
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 Dartford’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 Dartford?
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 Dartford’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. Dartford’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.