HMO licensing in Waltham Forest: fees, schemes and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Waltham Forest Council's own published pages on the date above
Waltham Forest runs additional HMO licensing borough-wide, with the current designation in force 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030, and selective licensing covering every ward except Hatch Lane & Highams Park North and Endlebury, from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2030 at £895 per property (Waltham Forest Council, checked 23 August 2026).
A mandatory HMO licence for a property with up to 8 units is reported at around £1,650, though we couldn't independently re-verify that exact figure line by line this pass.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Waltham Forest property licence application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Waltham Forest'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 Waltham Forest 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 Waltham Forest?
Waltham Forest's Private Rented Property Licensing (PRPL) system covers almost every kind of rented property somewhere in its rules: mandatory HMO licensing for large HMOs, additional licensing borough-wide for smaller HMOs, and selective licensing across nearly the whole borough for single-household lets (Waltham Forest Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Only two wards - Hatch Lane & Highams Park North and Endlebury - sit outside the selective licensing scheme, so most private rented properties in Waltham Forest need some form of licence.
What does a licence cost in Waltham Forest?
Fees differ by scheme (Waltham Forest Council, checked 23 August 2026).
The mandatory and additional figures above are best-available estimates - confirm your exact fee on Waltham Forest Council's PRPL pages →
✓ Checked against Waltham Forest Council, 23 August 2026
Does Waltham Forest run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Waltham Forest |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Borough-wide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Borough-wide, renewal designation from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030 |
| Selective licensing | All wards except Hatch Lane & Highams Park North and Endlebury, 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2030 |
If you're renting out a property let to a single household or 2 unrelated sharers anywhere outside those 2 wards, check whether selective licensing applies to you.
How do you apply for a licence in Waltham Forest?
You apply through Waltham Forest Council's own property licensing portal (Waltham Forest Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Set up a landlord user account on the council's property licensing portal.
- Enter your property details - the portal works out which licence type you need.
- Complete the application, saving your progress as you go and adding required documents.
- Pay the fee for your licence type.
- Track your application and respond to any council requests through the portal.
How long does a Waltham Forest licence take?
The council states it is currently experiencing a high volume of applications, which means a delayed response should be expected, though it is working to process applications as soon as possible (Waltham Forest Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a selective licence cost in Waltham Forest?
£895 total, split into two parts, with a £125 discount available for certain multi-property owners.
Which parts of Waltham Forest don't need a selective licence?
Only Hatch Lane & Highams Park North and Endlebury wards sit outside the scheme - almost every other privately rented property in the borough needs some form of licence.
Does Waltham Forest have additional licensing for smaller HMOs?
Yes - a borough-wide scheme, with the current designation running 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.
Where do I apply for a Waltham Forest property licence?
Directly through Waltham Forest Council's own property licensing portal - set up a landlord account, then apply and pay online.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Waltham Forest Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Waltham Forest Council's private sector housing team directly.