Do I need an HMO licence in Newham?

Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Newham 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 Newham?

Newham has 2 schemes in force on our register: Newham Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing (from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2027); Newham Borough-Wide Selective Licensing (from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 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 Newham?

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. Newham's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.

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

Letting an unlicensed HMO in Newham 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 Newham?

London Borough of Newham charges £1,400 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 Newham?

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

Newham HMO licensing guide

Newham HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Newham if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Newham's 2 licensing schemes can also cover smaller lets (details below). London Borough of Newham's standard fee is £1,400 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to London Borough of Newham using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Newham?

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

Active and upcoming schemes

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

Additional HMOEffective: 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2027

Newham Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing

Borough-wide additional HMO licensing excluding only Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park wards.

Read the original announcement →

SelectiveEffective: 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2028

Newham Borough-Wide Selective Licensing

Borough-wide selective licensing excluding only Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park wards. Covers more than 20 wards across the borough.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Newham-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: £1,400 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 Newham — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Newham?: Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Newham 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 Newham?: Newham has 2 schemes in force on our register: Newham Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing (from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2027); Newham Borough-Wide Selective Licensing (from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 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 Newham?: 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. Newham's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Newham?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in Newham 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 Newham?: London Borough of Newham charges £1,400 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 Newham?: HMO licence applications in Newham are handled by London Borough of Newham. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Newham 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 Newham with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

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