HMO licensing in Redbridge: fees, schemes and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Redbridge Council's own published pages on the date above
Redbridge runs mandatory HMO licensing (reported at around £1,950 for a 5-person shared house), additional licensing borough-wide since 18 September 2023 for HMOs with 3-4 occupants, and selective licensing in the Valentines and Ilford Town wards at £890 per property, from 1 November 2023 (Redbridge Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Accredited landlords get a £35 discount across all licence types.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Redbridge HMO application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Redbridge'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 Redbridge Council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees and area boundaries with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Redbridge?
Redbridge's additional licensing scheme, approved 30 May 2023 and in force since 18 September 2023, catches HMOs with just 3 or 4 occupants across the whole borough, not just designated areas - so most small shared houses in Redbridge need some form of licence (Redbridge Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Selective licensing is narrower, covering only the Valentines and Ilford Town wards for single-household lets, running from 1 November 2023 for 5 years.
What does a licence cost in Redbridge?
Fees vary by scheme and occupant numbers (Redbridge Council, checked 23 August 2026).
The mandatory and additional figures above are best-available estimates - confirm your exact fee on Redbridge Council's property licensing portal →
✓ Checked against Redbridge Council, 23 August 2026
Does Redbridge run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Redbridge |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Borough-wide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Borough-wide, 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2028, covers HMOs with 3-4 occupants (2+ households) |
| Selective licensing | Valentines and Ilford Town wards, from 1 November 2023 for 5 years |
Because additional licensing is borough-wide, most small shared houses in Redbridge need a licence regardless of which ward they're in.
How do you apply for a licence in Redbridge?
You apply through Redbridge Council's own property licensing portal (Redbridge Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check which scheme applies to your property based on occupant numbers and ward.
- Register on the property licensing portal.
- Apply online and provide your property and safety certificate details.
- Pay the relevant fee, noting the accredited-landlord discount if it applies to you.
- Receive your licence.
How long does a Redbridge HMO licence take?
Redbridge 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 housing licensing team.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mandatory HMO licence cost in Redbridge?
Reported at around £1,950 for a shared house with 5 single-person lettings, varying with the number of households - confirm your exact figure on the council's property licensing portal.
Does Redbridge's additional licensing scheme cover the whole borough?
Yes - it's borough-wide, covering HMOs with 3 or 4 occupants forming 2+ households, running 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2028.
Which wards need a selective licence in Redbridge?
Valentines and Ilford Town wards, from 1 November 2023 for 5 years, at £890 per property.
Where do I apply for a Redbridge HMO licence?
Directly through Redbridge Council's own property licensing portal.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Redbridge Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Redbridge Council's housing licensing team directly.