London
HMO licensing in Brent
London Borough of Brent requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. It also runs additional licensing (bringing smaller HMOs into licensing) and selective licensing (covering other privately rented homes in designated areas). The published licence fee starts at £1,040 (£940 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £1,040
Renewal £940
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Brent
Brent's first selective licensing designation (Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green and Willesden Green) came into force on 1 August 2023 and ceases on 31 July 2028. A second selective designation for 18 other wards (all except Wembley Park) began on 1 April 2024 and ends in March 2029, and a borough-wide additional HMO scheme (3-4 occupants) began on 2 February 2026 and ceases on 2 February 2031.
- In force from
- 1 August 2023
- Scheme ends
- 31 July 2028
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,040, and £940 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
From 2 February 2026, the mandatory HMO licence fee for up to 5 habitable rooms is £1,040, paid in two parts: £540 on application plus £500 on grant of the licence; £25 is added for each habitable room above five. Renewal (up to 5 rooms) is £940, paid as £500 plus £440. A £40 discount applies for London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) members. Licences run for up to 5 years.
Fee source: brent.gov.uk (checked 5 October 2026). Fees change during the year, so check the council before you apply.
Additional and selective licence fees
Fees for council-designated schemes are set separately from the mandatory HMO fee. Figures are the standard full-rate fee for a new licence, before any discounts.
Additional licence
£1,040
Renewal £940
New additional HMO licence application, up to 5 habitable rooms (lounge, dining room or bedroom), fee from 2 February 2026, paid in two parts: Part 1 £540 on application (non-refundable) plus Part 2 £500 on grant; £25 for each habitable room over five
£40 discount for London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) membership.
Scheme: From 2 February 2026 to 2 February 2031
Checked 5 October 2026 against brent.gov.uk
Selective licence
£640
Renewal £600
Selective licence application for a single privately rented property, standard rate listed in the council's 'current prices' table, paid in two parts: Part 1 £340 on application (non-refundable) plus Part 2 £300 on grant
£40 discount for London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) membership.
Scheme: From 1 April 2024
Checked 5 October 2026 against brent.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom (1 person over 10) | 6.51 m² legal minimum (Brent's mandatory/additional HMO licence conditions, citing the national HMO Space Standards Order 2018). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom (2 persons over 10) | 10.22 m² legal minimum. |
| Child under 10 | 4.64 m² minimum; a room under 4.64 m² can never be used as sleeping accommodation. |
| Brent assessment guidance - single occupancy | Council guidance (Appendix 1 to the licence conditions) suggests 6.5 m² where a separate shared kitchen exists, rising to 10.2 m² where the room itself contains kitchen facilities. |
| Brent assessment guidance - two-person occupancy | 10.2 m² where a separate shared kitchen exists, rising to 13.9 m² where the room itself contains kitchen facilities. |
National minimums for licensed HMOs are 6.51 m² for one adult and 10.22 m² for two adults; councils can apply higher local standards.
Fire safety requirements
- A mains-wired smoke alarm is required on every storey with living accommodation (including bathrooms/lavatories), and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel combustion appliance.
- A fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 must be carried out by a competent person where the HMO falls under that Order.
- All fire detection systems, means of escape and fire-fighting equipment must be serviced annually by a registered qualified person; a British Standard fire blanket is required in each kitchen.
- Main entrance/exit doors and unit doors leading to common areas must be openable from the inside without a key.
- Electrical installations require a current (5-yearly) EICR, with any Code 1/2 urgent items rectified within 28 days of the report.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- One WC per maximum of 5 persons, in a room separate from the bathroom where possible; not less than 50% of WCs must be in separate compartments from bath/shower facilities (minimum 1300mm x 800mm).
- One bath or shower per maximum of 5 persons, no more than one floor from the user, with a minimum bath size of 1700mm x 700mm.
- Kitchens for communal use: one set of facilities per 3 households or 5 persons (whichever is smaller); minimum kitchen floor area 5.5 m² for one set of facilities, 11 m² for two sets.
- Where a separate communal living/dining room is provided, minimum floor area is 11 m² for 1-5 persons and 16.5 m² for 6-10 persons.
- An adequate fixed heating system with adjustable controls capable of maintaining at least 21°C in habitable rooms must be provided; a current gas safety certificate (12-monthly) is required where gas is supplied.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Annual check for every gas appliance where gas is supplied; a copy must be displayed within the property.
- EICR — Domestic Electrical Installation Periodic Report/EICR dated within the last 5 years, provided to the council within 28 days on demand.
- EPC — Energy Performance Certificate carried out for new tenancies; must be displayed within the property.
- Tenancy deposit protection evidence — Confirmation that any deposit has been placed in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme, with scheme details given to the occupier.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with London Borough of Brent before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.