Do I need an HMO licence in Southwark?

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

Southwark has 2 schemes in force on our register: Southwark Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing (from 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2027); Southwark Selective Licensing — 19 wards (from 1 March 2022 / 1 November 2023 to 28 February 2027). 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 Southwark?

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

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

Letting an unlicensed HMO in Southwark 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 Southwark?

London Borough of Southwark charges £1,654 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 Southwark?

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

Southwark HMO licensing guide

Southwark HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Southwark if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Southwark's 2 licensing schemes can also cover smaller lets (details below). London Borough of Southwark's standard fee is about £1,654 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to London Borough of Southwark using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Southwark?

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

Active and upcoming schemes

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

Additional HMOEffective: 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2027

Southwark Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing

Borough-wide additional licensing covering all HMOs with 3+ occupants from 2+ households.

Read the original announcement →

SelectiveEffective: 1 March 2022 / 1 November 2023 to 28 February 2027

Southwark Selective Licensing — 19 wards

Selective licensing covering 19 wards: Newington, Champion Hill, Faraday, St Giles, Goose Green, North Walworth, Nunhead & Queens Road, Old Kent Road, Peckham, Camberwell Green, Chaucer, Dulwich Hill, Dulwich Wood, London Bridge & West Bermondsey, Peckham Rye, Rotherhithe, Rye Lane, South Bermondsey and Surrey Docks.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Southwark-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: £1,654 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 Southwark — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Southwark?: Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Southwark 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 Southwark?: Southwark has 2 schemes in force on our register: Southwark Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing (from 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2027); Southwark Selective Licensing — 19 wards (from 1 March 2022 / 1 November 2023 to 28 February 2027). 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 Southwark?: 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. Southwark's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Southwark?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in Southwark 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 Southwark?: London Borough of Southwark charges £1,654 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 Southwark?: HMO licence applications in Southwark are handled by London Borough of Southwark. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Southwark 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.

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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 Southwark with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

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