Do I need an HMO licence in Tower Hamlets?

Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Tower Hamlets runs 1 additional or selective scheme that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address. It also has 1 scheme on our register that is approved or proposed but not confirmed as in force yet.

Which property licensing schemes are active in Tower Hamlets?

Tower Hamlets has one scheme in force on our register: Tower Hamlets Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing (from April 2024 onwards). It can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Approved or proposed, but not confirmed as in force yet: Tower Hamlets Selective Licensing — Whitechapel, Weavers, Spitalfields & Banglatown (from October 2021 to 30 September 2026). Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.

How many tenants make a property an HMO in Tower Hamlets?

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

What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Tower Hamlets?

Letting an unlicensed HMO in Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets?

London Borough of Tower Hamlets charges £1,320 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts, 3-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 Tower Hamlets?

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

Tower Hamlets HMO licensing guide

Tower Hamlets HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Tower Hamlets if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Tower Hamlets's own licensing scheme can also cover smaller lets (details below). London Borough of Tower Hamlets's standard fee is about £1,320 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to London Borough of Tower Hamlets using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Tower Hamlets?

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

Active and upcoming schemes

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

Additional HMOEffective: April 2024 onwards

Tower Hamlets Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing

Borough-wide additional HMO licensing for smaller HMOs with 3+ occupants. Application fee £1,323 online (£1,550.50 postal) plus £68.50 per habitable room from April 2026 — a 75% fee increase.

Read the original announcement →

SelectiveEffective: October 2021 to 30 September 2026

Tower Hamlets Selective Licensing — Whitechapel, Weavers, Spitalfields & Banglatown

Selective licensing covering Whitechapel, Weavers, Spitalfields and Banglatown wards. Scheme expires 30 September 2026 — no renewal has been announced. Around 6,357 properties currently licensed.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Tower Hamlets-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: £1,320 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 Tower Hamlets — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Tower Hamlets?: Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Tower Hamlets runs 1 additional or selective scheme that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address. It also has 1 scheme on our register that is approved or proposed but not confirmed as in force yet.
Which property licensing schemes are active in Tower Hamlets?: Tower Hamlets has one scheme in force on our register: Tower Hamlets Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing (from April 2024 onwards). It can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Approved or proposed, but not confirmed as in force yet: Tower Hamlets Selective Licensing — Whitechapel, Weavers, Spitalfields & Banglatown (from October 2021 to 30 September 2026). Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Tower Hamlets?: 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. Tower Hamlets's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Tower Hamlets?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets?: London Borough of Tower Hamlets charges £1,320 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts, 3-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 Tower Hamlets?: HMO licence applications in Tower Hamlets are handled by London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Tower Hamlets HMO?

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HMO licensing in other councils

Compare Tower Hamlets with other areas we track.

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