HMO licensing in Barking & Dagenham: fees, schemes and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's own published pages on the date above
Barking and Dagenham now runs all three forms of property licensing borough-wide: mandatory HMO licensing from £1,500 for up to 5 rooms, additional licensing for smaller HMOs (from 9 January 2025) at £1,400, and selective licensing for single-household lets (from 6 April 2025) at £950 (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, checked 23 August 2026).
Compliant landlords can reduce their fees by up to £250 through the council's Silver and Gold compliance award discounts.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Barking & Dagenham property licence application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Barking and Dagenham's own published fees and schemes - for the wider system, see our HMO & landlord licensing hub, and for the national rules on who needs a licence, see do I need an HMO licence?
This is general information sourced from the council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees and discounts with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Barking & Dagenham?
Barking and Dagenham introduced its additional and selective licensing schemes within a few months of each other in early 2025, so almost every privately rented property in the borough - large HMO, small HMO or single-household let - now needs some form of licence (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, checked 23 August 2026).
The council also runs a distinctive discount structure: a Silver award for a satisfactory compliance inspection knocks £200 off, and a Gold award (accreditation plus a satisfactory rating) knocks off £250 - a genuine incentive to keep your property in good condition.
What does a licence cost in Barking & Dagenham?
Fees are set as a Part A (application) plus Part B (issue) payment (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, checked 23 August 2026).
Silver compliance award: £200 off Part B. Gold award (accredited + satisfactory rating): £250 off Part B - see the council's full fee and discount table →
✓ Checked against LB Barking & Dagenham, 23 August 2026
Does Barking & Dagenham run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Barking & Dagenham |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Borough-wide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Borough-wide, from 9 January 2025 for 5 years, covers HMOs with 3 or 4 people (2+ households) |
| Selective licensing | Borough-wide, from 6 April 2025 for 5 years, covers single-household lets or 2 unrelated sharers |
With all 3 schemes now live borough-wide, it's worth double-checking your exact licence type with the council even for a small or single-let property.
How do you apply for a licence in Barking & Dagenham?
You apply through the council's Metastreet online portal (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check which scheme applies - mandatory, additional or selective - based on your occupant numbers.
- Register on the Metastreet portal to start your application.
- Apply online and pay Part A of the fee.
- Consider a compliance inspection for the Silver or Gold discount.
- Pay Part B once your licence is ready to be issued.
How long does a Barking & Dagenham licence take?
The council's pages reviewed for this guide didn't set out a fixed processing timescale (checked 23 August 2026) - confirm current turnaround with the council's property licensing team.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mandatory HMO licence cost in Barking & Dagenham?
From £1,500 total (£1,000 Part A + £500 Part B) for up to 5 rooms, rising to £2,000 for the largest HMOs (20+ rooms).
What discounts are available for licence fees?
A Silver compliance award (satisfactory inspection) gives £200 off; a Gold award (accreditation plus a satisfactory rating) gives £250 off the Part B fee.
Does every rented property in Barking & Dagenham need a licence now?
Very likely yes - mandatory, additional and selective licensing are all now live borough-wide, covering large HMOs, small HMOs and single-household lets respectively.
Where do I apply for a Barking & Dagenham property licence?
Directly through the council's Metastreet online portal - register an account, then apply and pay online.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact the council's property licensing team directly.