HMO licensing in Newham: additional & selective licensing fees
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Newham Council's own published pages on the date above
Newham's additional HMO licensing scheme, in force since 1 January 2023, requires a licence for any property shared by 3 or 4 people forming 2 or more households across almost the whole borough (Newham Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Newham also runs a selective licensing scheme from 1 June 2023, at £750 per property (£650 for accredited landlords with an EPC of A, B or C) - both schemes cover the whole borough except the Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park wards.
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Get it done for you →This page sets out Newham's own published fees and schemes - for the wider system, see our HMO & landlord licensing hub, and for who needs a licence nationally, see do I need an HMO licence?
This is general information sourced from Newham Council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees and ward exceptions with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Newham?
Newham runs three licensing regimes side by side: mandatory HMO licensing for large HMOs, additional licensing for smaller 3-4 person HMOs (since 1 January 2023), and selective licensing for single households or two unrelated sharers (since 1 June 2023) - all covering almost the entire borough (Newham Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Only two wards - Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park - sit outside both the additional and selective schemes, so the great majority of privately rented Newham properties need some form of licence.
What does an HMO licence cost in Newham?
Newham charges a flat fee for additional HMO licences, and a discounted rate for accredited selective licence applicants (Newham Council, checked 23 August 2026).
These figures were correct as reported in searches of the council's own fee pages; they were not independently re-verified line by line this pass - confirm the exact current fee on Newham Council's own site →
✓ Checked against Newham Council, 23 August 2026
Does Newham run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Newham |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Borough-wide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Since 1 January 2023, covers 3-4 person HMOs, borough-wide except Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park wards |
| Selective licensing | Since 1 June 2023 for 5 years, covers single households and 2-sharer properties, same exceptions as above |
Because coverage is near-total, the safer assumption in Newham is that your property needs a licence unless you can confirm it sits in one of the two excluded wards.
How do you apply for an HMO licence in Newham?
You apply through My Newham Account using the council's Rented Property Licence Application form, which covers both additional and mandatory HMO applications (Newham Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Confirm your ward isn't Royal Victoria or Stratford Olympic Park, and check your occupant/household numbers.
- Set up or log into My Newham Account.
- Complete the Rented Property Licence Application form with your property and safety certificate details.
- Pay the appropriate fee - and check whether accreditation and EPC discounts apply to your selective licence.
- Receive your licence and keep it current for the licensing period.
How long does a Newham HMO licence take?
Newham 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 Group once you've submitted your application.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an additional HMO licence cost in Newham?
£1,250 per property, covering HMOs with 3 or 4 occupants forming 2 or more households.
Does Newham selective licensing cover my property?
Almost certainly, if you rent out a single-household or two-sharer property anywhere in Newham except the Royal Victoria or Stratford Olympic Park wards.
Can I get a discount on a Newham selective licence?
Yes - accredited landlords with a property EPC rating of A, B or C pay £650 instead of the standard £750.
Where do I apply for a Newham HMO or selective licence?
Through My Newham Account, using the council's Rented Property Licence Application form.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the London Borough of Newham, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Newham Council's Property Licensing Group directly.