London
HMO licensing in Lambeth
London Borough of Lambeth 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 £550.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £550
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Lambeth
Lambeth's borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme (any privately rented HMO with 3 or more occupiers not covered by mandatory licensing) came into force on 9 December 2021 and ceases on 8 December 2026. No renewal or replacement consultation was found on the council's sites, so landlords should confirm with the council what happens after that date. Separately, a selective licensing scheme (single lets and sharers of no more than 2 people) runs in 4 wards from 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029, with 19 further wards from 1 September 2025.
- In force from
- 9 December 2021
- Scheme ends
- 8 December 2026
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £550, and £550 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
The fee is charged per habitable room (bedroom) within the HMO, up to a maximum of 5 years: £550 per habitable room for both new applications and renewals, paid in two parts (Part A around two-thirds, Part B around one-third — e.g. a 5-room HMO totals £2,750, split Part A £1,833.33 / Part B £916.67). Accredited landlords (LLAS/ATLAS, NRLA, UKALA or equivalent) receive a £75 discount applied to the Part B payment; this discount does not apply if the council has issued a warning letter or made multiple requests for supporting documents. Fees are not normally refundable once the application is submitted.
Check the current fee on the council website (lambeth.gov.uk) 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
No single standard fee
Additional HMO licence: £550 per habitable room, for new applications and renewals alike (charges effective from 1 April 2026), paid in two parts (Part A two-thirds, Part B one-third). The fee depends on the number of rooms; no single standard total is published.
£75 discount on the Part B fee for accredited landlords or members of recognised schemes (LLAS, NRLA, UKALA, ARLA, RICS, Safeagent); not available if the council has made two requests for additional supporting documents or served a warning letter for failure to license.
Scheme: From 9 December 2021 to 8 December 2026
Checked 2 October 2026 against lambeth.gov.uk
Selective licence
£1,025
Selective licence for a single privately rented dwelling, standard rate from 1 April 2026, paid in two parts (Part A £717.50 + Part B £307.50)
£50 off Part B for EPC band C or better; £75 off Part B for accredited landlords or members of recognised bodies (LLAS, NRLA, UKALA, ARLA, RICS, Safeagent); £100 off Part A for subsequent flats in the same block.
Scheme: From 2 September 2024
Checked 2 October 2026 against lambeth.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom | 6.5 m² minimum floor area for one person aged over 10 (national minimum room standard introduced October 2018, as stated in Lambeth's own licensing guide). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom | 10.22 m² minimum floor area for two people aged over 10 (national minimum room standard). |
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
- Provide and maintain automatic fire detection appropriate to the property; a current automatic fire detection certificate must be available.
- Maintain a current fire risk assessment for the property, covering means of escape and fire precautions.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Provide kitchen and bathroom facilities and room sizes/property facilities appropriate to the number of occupiers stated on the application.
- Keep shared facilities and amenities in working order for the licensed number of households and occupiers.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Within the last 12 months for every gas appliance on the property.
- EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, dated within the last five years.
- EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
- Fire risk assessment — Current assessment of the property's means of escape and fire precautions, referenced in Lambeth's application guidance.
- Automatic fire detection certificate — Evidence the fire detection system has been tested and is in working order.
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 Lambeth before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.