Do I need a landlord licence in Tower Hamlets?

Yes — some rentals in Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets

Yes — a scheme is in force

Selective licensing was redesignated for five years from 1 October 2021 and expires on 30 September 2026. It covers the Weavers, Whitechapel and Spitalfields & Banglatown areas (defined by pre-2014 ward boundaries) and applies to properties occupied by one household or a maximum of two households comprising two occupants. If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a selective 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 →

Additional HMO licensing in Tower Hamlets

Yes — a scheme is in force

A borough-wide additional HMO licensing designation is enforced from 1 April 2024 and remains in force until 31 March 2029 unless revoked earlier under section 60 of the Housing Act 2004. It covers all privately let properties, including flats, occupied by three or more persons forming two or more households, irrespective of the number of storeys. 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 Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets?
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 Tower Hamlets’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 Tower Hamlets?
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 Tower Hamlets’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. Tower Hamlets’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.