Thurrock: landlord licensing
Thurrock operates discretionary property licensing. Here is what is in force, what is coming, and how to check whether your property is affected.
Check a Thurrock property
Enter your postcode for an instant scheme check, then get the property-specific report.
Check your postcode — freeFree scheme check · £9.99 for the full property report
Active selective licensing
Selective licensing applies to ordinary private rented homes (not just HMOs) within a designated area.
Selective licensing
active16 of 20 wards. Exempt: Little Thurrock Blackshots, Orsett, Stifford Clays, The Homesteads.
- Dates
- 5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031
- Approx. fee
- £1,034.90 (£236.98 Part A + £797.92 Part B)
- Wards / areas
- Aveley and Uplands, Belhus, Chadwell St Mary, Chafford and North Stifford, Corringham and Fobbing, East Tilbury, Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Little Thurrock Rectory, Ockendon, South Chafford, Stanford East and Corringham Town, Stanford-le-Hope West, Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park, Tilbury St Chads, West Thurrock and South Stifford
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
activeAll wards; HMOs with 3-4 occupiers in 2+ households
- Dates
- 7 Sept 2025 – 6 Sept 2030
- Approx. fee
- £1,670 total (2-5 rooms)
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in Thurrock 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
Selective survived a judicial review (High Court refused permission, resumed March 2026).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Thurrock?
Thurrock 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 Thurrock?
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?
Get a property-specific licence report in seconds.
Check your postcode — freeFree scheme check · £9.99 for the full property report
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.