London
HMO licensing in Lewisham
London Borough of Lewisham 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 council does not publish a single licence fee, so check its fees page.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
Not published
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Lewisham
Lewisham's borough-wide Additional HMO Licensing scheme (all 19 wards) has been in force since 5 April 2022 and runs until April 2027; the council has not yet decided whether to consult on a replacement from May 2027. Its separate Selective Licensing scheme (most of the borough except Telegraph Hill ward and parts of Blackheath) started 1 July 2024 and is due to expire in 2029.
- In force from
- 5 April 2022
- Scheme ends
- 4 April 2027
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
London Borough of Lewisham does not publish a single figure we could confirm. Fees are set by the council and reviewed each year, so check its fees page.
Published as a per lettable unit rate only, with no total for a standard property. Standard fee per lettable unit: Part 1 £250 (processing and determination, payable on application) + Part 2 £250 (administration, management and enforcement, payable before the licence is issued) = £500 per lettable unit. The council states the fee structure is the same for the National Mandatory and the Lewisham Additional licence. Discounted Part 2 of £150 (total £400 per unit) for accredited landlords; early-bird discount applied only before 5 April 2022 (now expired); transfer from existing additional licence £250 (Part 1 only); eligible charity £250 (Part 1 only). No refund if application refused.
Fee source: lewisham.gov.uk (checked 2 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
No single standard fee
Additional HMO licence: £500 per lettable unit (£250 on application plus £250 before the licence is issued), the same rate as mandatory licensing. The council defines a lettable unit as a room that could be occupied as living accommodation. No single standard total is published.
Accredited landlord: Part 2 reduced from £250 to £150 (£400 per unit); transfer from an existing additional licence: £250 per unit (Part 1 only); eligible charities: £250 per unit. The early-bird discount applied only before the scheme went live on 5 April 2022 and has expired.
Scheme: From 5 April 2022
Checked 2 October 2026 against lewisham.gov.uk
Selective licence
£640
Basic selective licence fee for a privately rented property in the designated area (licence usually lasts five years), paid in two parts (£160 on application + £480 on granting)
Discounts (applied to the second payment) are available for early applications, accredited landlords (e.g. LLAS, NRLA members) and eligible charities; amounts are not stated on the selective licensing page.
Scheme: From 1 July 2024 to 1 July 2029
Checked 2 October 2026 against lewisham.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom | 6.51 m² minimum floor area for one person aged 10 or over (national HMO space standard). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom | 10.22 m² minimum floor area for two people aged 10 or over (national HMO space standard). |
| Child bedroom | 4.64 m² minimum floor area for one person aged under 10 (national HMO space 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 fire detection and precautions appropriate to the property, in line with the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Keep means of escape clear of obstructions and in good repair.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Provide kitchen, bathroom and toilet facilities appropriate to the number of occupiers.
- Maintain the property to at least the minimum standards of condition set out in the council's HMO guidance, avoiding overcrowding relative to the licensed occupancy.
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.
- Floor plan with room dimensions — Showing every room and its floor area against the HMO minimums.
- Fire risk assessment — Current assessment of the property's means of escape and fire precautions.
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 Lewisham before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.