HMO licensing in Tower Hamlets: fees, schemes and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Tower Hamlets Council's own published pages on the date above
Tower Hamlets runs additional HMO licensing borough-wide (all 20 wards), covering privately let properties - including flats - with 3 or more occupants forming 2+ households, from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029. Reported fee: £1,323 online (£1,550.50 postal) plus £68.50 per habitable room, following a reported 75% increase from April 2026 (Tower Hamlets Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Selective licensing covers Spitalfields & Banglatown, Stepney Green, Weavers and Whitechapel wards, but is due to expire 30 September 2026 - very close to our check date, with no renewal announced at the time of writing.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Tower Hamlets HMO application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Tower Hamlets' 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 Tower Hamlets Council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees and scheme status with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Tower Hamlets?
Tower Hamlets has run mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupants) since 2006, but its additional licensing scheme now catches almost any shared HMO in the borough - 3 or more occupants forming 2+ households, including flats, across all 20 wards (Tower Hamlets Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Its selective licensing scheme is narrower geographically (4 wards) but is a genuine time-sensitive issue: it's due to expire 30 September 2026, and as of our check date no renewal had been announced, so landlords in Spitalfields & Banglatown, Stepney Green, Weavers and Whitechapel should watch for an update.
What does an HMO licence cost in Tower Hamlets?
Fees changed significantly from April 2026 (Tower Hamlets Council, checked 23 August 2026).
These figures are search-corroborated against the council's published fee changes but not independently re-verified line by line this pass - check the exact current fee on Tower Hamlets Council's own page →
✓ Checked against Tower Hamlets Council, 23 August 2026
Does Tower Hamlets run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Tower Hamlets |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Borough-wide, since 2006, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | All 20 wards, 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029, covers properties with 3+ occupants (2+ households) |
| Selective licensing | Spitalfields & Banglatown, Stepney Green, Weavers, Whitechapel; 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2026 (no renewal announced at time of writing) |
If you're in one of the 4 selective licensing wards, watch the council's site closely around September 2026 for confirmation of whether the scheme is renewed.
How do you apply for an HMO licence in Tower Hamlets?
You apply through Tower Hamlets Council's online landlord licensing portal (Tower Hamlets Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check which scheme applies to your property - mandatory, additional or selective.
- Register or log in to the council's online portal.
- Gather your documents - property details, gas and electrical safety certificates, floor plan.
- Apply online and pay the relevant fee.
- Receive your licence, valid for up to 5 years.
How long does a Tower Hamlets HMO licence take?
Tower Hamlets 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 private sector housing team.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an additional HMO licence cost in Tower Hamlets?
Reported at £1,323 online plus £68.50 per habitable room from April 2026, a 75% increase on the previous rate - confirm the exact current figure on the council's own page.
Does Tower Hamlets' selective licensing scheme still apply?
It's due to expire 30 September 2026, and no renewal had been announced at the time of this check - landlords in Spitalfields & Banglatown, Stepney Green, Weavers and Whitechapel should check the council's site for an update.
Does additional licensing cover flats in Tower Hamlets?
Yes - the additional licensing scheme applies to privately let properties, including flats, with 3 or more occupants forming 2+ households, across all 20 wards.
Where do I apply for a Tower Hamlets HMO licence?
Directly through Tower Hamlets Council's online landlord licensing 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 Tower Hamlets Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Tower Hamlets Council's private sector housing team directly.