HMO licensing in Croydon: new schemes for 2026 and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Croydon Council's own published pages on the date above
Croydon Council approved new borough-wide additional licensing (£1,250) and selective licensing across 14 wards (£800) on 25 March 2026 - but as of our check date, neither has started yet: both go live 1 September 2026 and run for 5 years (Croydon Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Right now, mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupants) is the only scheme actually in force, charged per habitable room rather than as a single flat fee.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Croydon HMO or new property licence application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Croydon'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 Croydon Council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees and go-live dates with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Croydon?
Croydon is a genuinely time-sensitive case: its Cabinet has already approved two brand-new schemes, but neither is live yet. Additional licensing (3-4 occupant HMOs) will apply borough-wide from 1 September 2026, while selective licensing will apply in 14 of the borough's 28 wards from the same date (Croydon Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Until 1 September 2026, only mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupants) is enforceable - so a landlord with a small HMO or single-household let in Croydon doesn't need to act yet, but should watch for the schemes going live.
What does licensing cost in Croydon?
Mandatory HMO licensing is charged per habitable room; the new additional and selective schemes have flat fees (Croydon Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Selective licence discounts: £50 off for EPC B+, £100 off for accredited landlords, £100 off Part A for multi-dwelling applications - see Croydon Council's full fee structure →
✓ Checked against Croydon Council, 23 August 2026
Does Croydon run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Croydon |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Borough-wide, currently in force, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Approved 25 March 2026; borough-wide; starts 1 September 2026 (not yet live) |
| Selective licensing | Approved 25 March 2026; 14 of 28 wards (Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Fairfield, Norbury & Pollards Hill, Norbury Park, Selhurst, South Croydon, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton, Woodside); starts 1 September 2026 (not yet live) |
Because both new schemes start 1 September 2026, check the council's site close to that date for confirmation of when applications actually open.
How do you apply for a licence in Croydon?
Mandatory HMO applications run through Croydon Council's existing process now; the new schemes will have their own application routes once live (Croydon Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check which scheme applies to your property and when it takes effect.
- For mandatory HMOs, gather your documents - room sizes, occupant numbers, safety certificates.
- Apply and pay Part A for your relevant licence type.
- Complete any required inspection.
- Pay Part B once your licence is ready to be issued.
How long does a Croydon HMO licence take?
Croydon 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 licensing team.
Frequently asked questions
When does Croydon's new additional and selective licensing start?
Both schemes were approved 25 March 2026 and start 1 September 2026 - they are not yet live as of this check.
Which wards need a selective licence in Croydon?
14 of the borough's 28 wards, including Addiscombe East and West, Thornton Heath, South Norwood, Selhurst and Woodside - check the full list on the council's page.
How is Croydon's mandatory HMO fee calculated?
Per habitable room rather than a flat total - £295 per room for a 5-year licence, or £201 per room for a 1-year licence, from 1 April 2026.
Where do I apply for a Croydon HMO licence?
Directly through Croydon Council's own website - the process for the new additional and selective schemes will open closer to 1 September 2026.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Croydon Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Croydon Council's licensing team directly.