Lewisham: landlord licensing
Lewisham operates discretionary property licensing. Here is what is in force, what is coming, and how to check whether your property is affected.
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Active selective licensing
Selective licensing applies to ordinary private rented homes (not just HMOs) within a designated area.
Selective licensing
activeMost of the borough (~20,000 properties); council describes 18 wards excl. Telegraph Hill and part of Blackheath. Verify addresses via council map.
- Dates
- 1 Jul 2024 – 30 Jun 2029
- Approx. fee
- £640 (£160 application + £480 on granting)
- Wards / areas
- Brockley, Catford South, Lewisham Central, New Cross, Perry Vale, Rushey Green, Crofton Park, Evelyn, Ladywell, Lee Green, Sydenham, Bellingham, Downham, Forest Hill, Grove Park, Whitefoot
Active additional (HMO) licensing
Additional licensing extends HMO licensing to smaller shared houses (typically 3-4 sharers) that fall below the mandatory threshold.
Additional (HMO) licensing
activeBorough-wide, smaller HMOs (3-4 sharers) outside mandatory
- Dates
- 22 Apr 2022 – 21 Apr 2027
- Approx. fee
- approx £500 per household/bedroom
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in Lewisham 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.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Lewisham?
Lewisham operates 1 selective licensing scheme(s) and 1 additional (HMO) licensing scheme(s). Whether your specific property needs a licence depends on its exact location and how it is let, plus mandatory HMO licensing which applies England-wide to properties let to 5+ people in 2+ households.
What is the penalty for an unlicensed property in Lewisham?
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.
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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.