Do I need an HMO licence in Harrow?

Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Harrow runs 1 additional or selective scheme that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address. It also has 1 scheme on our register that is approved or proposed but not confirmed as in force yet.

Which property licensing schemes are active in Harrow?

Harrow has one scheme in force on our register: Six New / Replacement Selective Licensing Schemes — Staged 2026 Rollout (Including Greenhill & Marlborough from 6 July 2026) (from Staged: 2 May 2026 / 6 July 2026 / 1 September 2026). It can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Approved or proposed, but not confirmed as in force yet: Proposed Renewal of Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Consultation Closed February 2026) (From 6 August 2026 (proposed, subject to Cabinet decision)). Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.

How many tenants make a property an HMO in Harrow?

The national test is the same across England: 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet need a mandatory licence. Harrow's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.

What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Harrow?

Letting an unlicensed HMO in Harrow can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

How much is an HMO licence in Harrow?

London Borough of Harrow charges £1,900 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts, 5-year licence), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.

Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Harrow?

HMO licence applications in Harrow are handled by London Borough of Harrow. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Harrow HMO licensing guide

Harrow HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Harrow if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Harrow's own licensing scheme can also cover smaller lets (details below). London Borough of Harrow's standard fee is £1,900 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to London Borough of Harrow using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Harrow?

England runs three separate regimes. More than one can apply to the same property.

Mandatory HMO licenceExplained on this page5 or more occupants from 2+ households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toiletApplies everywhere in England
Additional HMO licensingSmaller HMOs the national rules miss — council-designatedIn force in Harrow
Selective licensingANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsIn force in Harrow · See selective licensing in Harrow

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Harrow announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 22 October 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

SelectiveEffective: Staged: 2 May 2026 / 6 July 2026 / 1 September 2026

Six New / Replacement Selective Licensing Schemes — Staged 2026 Rollout (Including Greenhill & Marlborough from 6 July 2026)

All six new selective licensing designations were made on 2 February 2026 with a staged rollout: Edgeware replacement and new Roxeth schemes from 2 May 2026; new Greenhill and Marlborough schemes from 6 July 2026; and replacement Wealdstone North and Wealdstone South schemes from 1 September 2026.

Read the original announcement →

ConsultationEffective: Consultation closed 27 February 2026; current scheme expires 5 August 2026

Proposed Renewal of Additional HMO Licensing Scheme — Consultation Closed February 2026

Harrow ran a 10-week public consultation (19 December 2025 to 27 February 2026) on renewing its borough-wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme ahead of the current designation expiring on 5 August 2026. The proposed renewal would extend the scheme for a further five years, continuing to cover all HMOs that require additional licensing under the Housing Act 2004.

Read the original announcement →

Additional HMOEffective: From 6 August 2026 (proposed, subject to Cabinet decision)

Proposed Renewal of Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Consultation Closed February 2026)

Harrow ran a 10-week public consultation (19 December 2025 – 27 February 2026) on renewing its borough-wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme before the current designation expires on 5 August 2026. All HMOs requiring an additional licence under the Housing Act 2004 would be covered.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Harrow-specific scheme, you also need to comply with the national mandatory HMO licensing rules under the Housing Act 2004:

5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet → mandatory HMO licence required.
A household = single person, couple, or family unit. Unrelated sharers each count as a separate household.
Letting an unlicensed HMO can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 (up from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026) or prosecution, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

Run the free HMO checker

Licence fee: £1,900 for a first mandatory HMO licence (5-bedroom, 5-person HMO, standard fee) — council source, checked 14 October 2026. Compare HMO licence fees across 71 councils

Manage the HMO in RentFig — rooms, licensing checks, certificates.

HMO licensing in Harrow — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Harrow?: Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Harrow runs 1 additional or selective scheme that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address. It also has 1 scheme on our register that is approved or proposed but not confirmed as in force yet.
Which property licensing schemes are active in Harrow?: Harrow has one scheme in force on our register: Six New / Replacement Selective Licensing Schemes — Staged 2026 Rollout (Including Greenhill & Marlborough from 6 July 2026) (from Staged: 2 May 2026 / 6 July 2026 / 1 September 2026). It can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Approved or proposed, but not confirmed as in force yet: Proposed Renewal of Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Consultation Closed February 2026) (From 6 August 2026 (proposed, subject to Cabinet decision)). Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Harrow?: The national test is the same across England: 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet need a mandatory licence. Harrow's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Harrow?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in Harrow can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).
How much is an HMO licence in Harrow?: London Borough of Harrow charges £1,900 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts, 5-year licence), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.
Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Harrow?: HMO licence applications in Harrow are handled by London Borough of Harrow. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

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HMO licensing in other councils

Compare Harrow with other areas we track.

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Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Harrow schemes and the Housing Act 2004 standard test. It is not legal advice. Council schemes change frequently — always confirm the current position with London Borough of Harrow before letting or applying for a licence.