London
HMO licensing in Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge 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 £1,865.34.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £1,865.34
Decision time
About 13 weeks
The council's stated aim
Licensing schemes in Redbridge
Redbridge's borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme (HMOs with 3 or more occupiers not covered by mandatory licensing) came into force on 18 September 2023 and ceases on 17 September 2028. Two selective licensing schemes also apply: Scheme 3 (Ilford Town and Valentines) from 1 November 2023, reported to end 31 October 2028, and Scheme 4 (15 further wards) from 8 April 2024 to 7 April 2029.
- In force from
- 18 September 2023
- Scheme ends
- 17 September 2028
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,865.34. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Mandatory HMO licence, 2 households (smallest case), applications 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2027: first stage £696.14 (at application) + second stage £1,169.20 = £1,865.34. Second stage scales by households: 3 = £1,273.46 (total £1,969.60), 4 = £1,392.28 (£2,088.42), 5 = £1,489.81 (£2,185.95), 6 = £1,600.79 (£2,296.93), 7 = £1,705.04 (£2,401.18), 8 = £1,810.42 (£2,506.56), 9 = £1,921.39 (£2,617.53), 10+ = £2,032.37 (£2,728.51). Paper application surcharge £139.23. £35 accredited-landlord discount off second stage (not applied).
Fee source: redbridge.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
£1,865.34
Ranges from £1,865.34 to £2,728.51
Additional HMO licence (3-4 occupants, 2+ households, borough-wide), applications 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, base case of 2 households: first stage £696.14 + second stage £1,169.20. Fee rises with the number of households.
£35 off the second-stage fee with proof of landlord accreditation. Extra £139.23 for paper applications.
Scheme: From 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2028
Checked 2 October 2026 against redbridge.gov.uk
Selective licence
£997.69
Selective licence for one privately rented property, applications 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027: £371.05 on application + £626.64 if successful. Same fee for Scheme 3 (Valentines and Ilford Town wards) and Scheme 4 (15 other wards).
£35 off the second payment with proof of accreditation (second payment £591.64). Extra £139.23 for paper applications.
Checked 2 October 2026 against redbridge.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Double bedroom (2 persons aged 10+) | 10.22 m² minimum floor area (national HMO space standard, SI 2018/616). |
|---|---|
| Single bedroom (1 person aged 10+) | 6.51 m² minimum floor area (national HMO space standard, SI 2018/616). |
| Any room used as sleeping accommodation | Redbridge's own mandatory HMO licence conditions state the licence holder must not permit any room with a floor area of less than 4.64 m² to be used as sleeping accommodation at all. |
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
- Grade A, LD2 fire detection required in HMOs of 3+ storeys; Grade D, LD2 in HMOs of up to 2 storeys.
- 30-minute fire-resisting doors (FD30S) with self-closing devices and intumescent seals required on bedrooms and rooms opening onto escape routes.
- Staircase soffits must be lined with 12.5mm plasterboard to provide 30 minutes' fire resistance.
- All final exit doors must be fitted with locks openable from the inside without a key.
- Window restrictors required on first-floor windows and above, limiting opening to 100mm.
- Fire blankets required in shared kitchens and in bedsitting rooms containing cooking facilities.
- Any fire-safety works required by the licence must be completed within 2 calendar months of the licence being granted.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Adequate kitchen and bathroom facilities must be provided, having regard to the number of occupiers, under the council's approved HMO standards.
- Common areas must be inspected and cleaned monthly; individual lettings inspected at least every 6 months.
- Adequate arrangements for the storage and disposal of household waste.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Current annual Gas Safety Record for all gas appliances; must be produced to the council within 21 days of a request.
- EICR / electrical safety proof — PAT testing declaration and proof the electrical installation is safe, per the council's mandatory licence conditions.
- Fire risk assessment — A current Fire Risk Assessment record must be kept on the property and produced on request.
- EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
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 Redbridge before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.