Hackney has confirmed new additional and selective landlord licensing schemes commencing 1 May 2026. The additional licensing scheme covers HMOs with three or more tenants from two or more households. The selective licensing scheme covers specified wards.
Hackney: additional and selective licensing from 1 May 2026
The London Borough of Hackney has confirmed the launch of new additional and selective landlord licensing schemes, both commencing 1 May 2026. Landlords with properties in Hackney have until 30 April 2026 to apply or face enforcement from day one of the scheme.
Additional licensing: HMOs
The additional licensing scheme covers houses in multiple occupation with three or more tenants forming two or more households. This extends licensing beyond the mandatory HMO threshold (five or more tenants) to smaller shared properties across the borough.
Who is affected: Landlords with any property in Hackney let to three or more tenants from different households, including shared houses, bedsit properties, and student accommodation.
Selective licensing: specified wards
The selective licensing scheme applies to all privately rented properties within the designated wards. Landlords should check the council's website for the full designation boundaries.
Penalties
Operating without a licence from 1 May 2026 carries a maximum civil penalty of £30,000 (Hackney's published scale) and exposes landlords to a Rent Repayment Order covering up to 24 months of rent under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Action for Hackney landlords
- Check whether your property falls within the additional or selective licensing designation
- Submit a licence application before 1 May 2026
- Budget for the application fee per property
- Brief your letting agent if they manage the property
Landlord Insights — landlordinsights.co.uk — Sourced from hackney.gov.uk. Not legal advice.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always verify information against the original source and seek independent professional guidance before acting on any regulatory matter.