Croydon: landlord licensing
Croydon has a licensing scheme approved and starting soon. Here is what is coming and how to check your property.
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Upcoming schemes
Selective licensing
upcoming14 of 28 wards, ~72.5% of the borough's PRS
- Dates
- 1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2031
- Approx. fee
- £800 (£480 Part A + £320 Part B)
- Wards / areas
- Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Fairfield, Norbury and Pollards Hill, Norbury Park, Selhurst, South Croydon, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton, Woodside
Additional (HMO) licensing
upcomingBorough-wide; HMOs of 3+ persons in 2+ households not covered by mandatory licensing
- Dates
- 1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2031
- Approx. fee
- £1,250 (£750 Part A + £500 Part B)
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in Croydon let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households, who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, needs a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004. Licences last up to 5 years and the fee is set by the council.
Penalties for operating unlicensed
- Civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026).
- Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, claimable by the tenant.
- Unlimited fine on criminal prosecution, plus possible banning order.
- Once the national PRS Database is live, unregistered landlords can be blocked from regaining possession.
Notes
Both approved, live from 1 September 2026. Applications open summer 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Croydon?
Croydon does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. However, mandatory HMO licensing still applies to any property let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households and sharing facilities.
What is the penalty for an unlicensed property in Croydon?
Operating a licensable property without a licence can lead to a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, an unlimited fine on prosecution, and a banning order for serious or repeat offenders.
Does your property need a licence?
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Data verified against council sources as of July 2026. PRSCheck is an information service, not legal advice. Many schemes are designated at street or part-ward level; confirm the exact boundary for your address with the council before relying on this page. Browse all councils.