London
HMO licensing in Merton
London Borough of Merton 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 £1,566.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £1,566
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Merton
Merton's Additional HMO licensing scheme (3-4 person HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing) has been in force since 24 September 2023 in Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields, Longthornton and Pollards Hill wards, and ends 23 September 2028. A Selective licensing scheme (single-household and two-sharer lets) runs on the same dates in Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton and Pollards Hill.
- In force from
- 24 September 2023
- Scheme ends
- 23 September 2028
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,566. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Additional HMO Licence (for 3-4 person HMOs in the designated wards) costs £1,566.00 to £1,674.00 total depending on bedroom count (2-4 bedrooms), split into a non-refundable Part A of £267 payable on application and a Part B of £1,299-£1,407 payable within 7 days of approval; the figures shown are for the lowest (2-bedroom) band. Separately, the national Mandatory HMO Licence (5+ occupants) ranges from £1,949.79 to £2,464.43 depending on the number of units (2-10). The Selective Licence (single-household/2-sharer properties in the designated wards) is a flat £747.60 (Part A £267 / Part B £480.60). A £50 discount applies to additional and selective licences (not mandatory) for landlords accredited under LLAS, NRLA, NALS, UKALA, ARLA or RICS, unless the council has issued a warning letter or made multiple requests for documents. A separate £180 pre-licensing consultation fee is also charged.
Check the current fee on the council website (merton.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
£1,566
Ranges from £1,566 to £1,674
Additional HMO licence for a 3-4 occupant HMO at the smallest bedroom band (2 bedrooms): Part A £267 (non-refundable, on application) + Part B £1,299 (payable within 7 days of approval). 3 bedrooms £1,620; 4 bedrooms £1,674.
£50 discount for applicants accredited with or members of LLAS, NRLA, NALS, UKALA, ARLA or RICS; not applied if the council has made two or more consecutive requests for further documents or has served a warning letter or notice for failure to license. A separate £180 pre-licensing consultation fee is listed under other charges.
Scheme: From 24 September 2023 to 23 September 2028
Checked 2 October 2026 against merton.gov.uk
Selective licence
£747.60
Selective licence for a single privately rented dwelling in the designated wards (Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton, Pollards Hill): flat fee, Part A £267 (non-refundable, on application) + Part B £480.60 (payable within 7 days of approval)
£50 discount for applicants accredited with or members of LLAS, NRLA, NALS, UKALA, ARLA or RICS; not applied if the council has made two or more consecutive requests for further documents or has served a warning letter or notice for failure to license. A separate £180 pre-licensing consultation fee is listed under other charges.
Scheme: From 24 September 2023 to 23 September 2028
Checked 2 October 2026 against merton.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
- Install a smoke alarm on each storey of the property where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation, and keep all smoke alarms in proper working order.
- Provide suitable fire precautions and escape routes appropriate to the property's layout and occupancy.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Provide enough kitchens, bathrooms and toilets for the number of people living at the property.
- Provide enough living space to avoid overcrowding relative to the licensed occupancy.
- Provide a minimum of 4 double electrical sockets per room.
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, alarms 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 Merton before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.