Kensington and Chelsea HMO licensing guide

HMO licence in Kensington and Chelsea — do I need one?

Kensington and Chelsea has 1 licensing scheme on our register, on top of the national mandatory HMO rules. This page summarises the active and upcoming schemes, links to the council source, and explains what you need to do as a landlord.

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Kensington and Chelsea announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

Additional HMOEffective: 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2028

Kensington & Chelsea Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing

Borough-wide additional licensing covering all HMOs with 3+ occupants from 2+ households not under mandatory licensing.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Kensington and Chelsea-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.
  • Unlicensed HMOs face civil penalties up to £30,000, Rent Repayment Orders (up to 12 months' rent).
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Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Kensington and Chelsea schemes and the Housing Act 2004 standard test. It is not legal advice. Council schemes change frequently — always confirm the current position with Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea before letting or applying for a licence.