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Merton HMO licensing guide

Merton HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Merton if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Merton's 2 licensing schemes can also cover smaller lets (details below). London Borough of Merton's standard fee is about £2,143 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to London Borough of Merton using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Merton?

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 Merton
  • Selective licensingANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsIn force in Merton · See selective licensing in Merton

Active and upcoming schemes

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

Additional HMOEffective: 24 September 2023 to 23 September 2028

Merton Additional HMO Licensing — 7 wards

Additional HMO licensing covering Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields, Longthornton and Pollards Hill wards. Fees £1,450–£1,550 per property.

Read the original announcement →
SelectiveEffective: 24 September 2023 to 23 September 2028

Merton Selective Licensing — 4 wards

Selective licensing covering Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton and Pollards Hill wards. Fee £692 per property (£50 accredited-landlord discount).

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Merton-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: £2,143 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 Merton — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Merton?
Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Merton runs 2 additional or selective schemes that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address.
Which property licensing schemes are active in Merton?
Merton has 2 schemes in force on our register: Merton Additional HMO Licensing — 7 wards (from 24 September 2023 to 23 September 2028); Merton Selective Licensing — 4 wards (from 24 September 2023 to 23 September 2028). Each can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Merton?
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. Merton's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Merton?
Letting an unlicensed HMO in Merton 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 Merton?
London Borough of Merton charges £2,143 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts), 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 Merton?
HMO licence applications in Merton are handled by London Borough of Merton. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Merton HMO?

Licensed HMOs mean more tenants to vet. Start with RentFig's tenant reference form — free, no account needed — then run tenant referencing from £9 per tenant: a credit check, or a £19 full reference with Right to Rent. Pay per check, no subscription.

Stay on top of HMO compliance with RentFig

RentFig tracks every HMO licence renewal alongside gas safety, EICR, EPC, fire alarm tests and right-to-rent checks. Email reminders, audit trail, AI assistant on WhatsApp. Free for one property.

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HMO licensing in other councils

Compare Merton with other areas we track.

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Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Merton 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 Merton before letting or applying for a licence.