Do I need a landlord licence in Kensington and Chelsea?

Yes — some rentals in Kensington and Chelsea need a licence beyond the national HMO rules. Whether yours does depends on the property’s address and who lives there.

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 Kensington and Chelsea

None that we know of

Kensington and Chelsea has no selective licensing scheme. The council's HMO guide lists only mandatory HMO licensing and the additional HMO scheme, with no selective designation mentioned anywhere on its licensing pages. As of our last check we found no selective licensing scheme in Kensington and Chelsea — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Kensington and Chelsea

Yes — a scheme is in force

A borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme came into force on 1 June 2023, covering all HMOs defined by section 254 of the Housing Act 2004 that fall outside mandatory licensing, meaning three or more occupiers from two or more households sharing facilities. As a five-year designation it is due to expire on or around 31 May 2028, though the council page does not state an end date. If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a additional licence is a criminal offence. Schemes change and new designations appear, so always confirm on the council’s own page before relying on this.

Official council source →

Is your exact property covered?

Designations in Kensington and Chelsea 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 Kensington and Chelsea?
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 Kensington and Chelsea’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 Kensington and Chelsea?
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 Kensington and Chelsea’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. Kensington and Chelsea’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.