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 → Southwark HMO licensing guide
Southwark HMO licence — do you need one?
Southwark has 2 licensing schemes 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.
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 31 August 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.
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.
- Unlicensed HMOs face civil penalties up to £40,000 (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026) and Rent Repayment Orders of up to 2 years' rent.
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 currently has 2 schemes 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 — the maximum rose from £30,000 on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent and a criminal record.
- 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 an optional credit check from £9 per tenant. 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.
HMO licensing in other councils
Compare Southwark with other areas 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.