Two new selective licensing designations in the London Borough of Harrow ? covering the Greenhill and Marlborough council wards ? come into force on 6 July 2026. The licence fee is ?786 per property for a five-year term. Two further Wealdstone designations follow on 1 September 2026.
Multiple new designations confirmed. Following consultation, Harrow Council has approved several selective licensing schemes: the Greenhill selective licensing designation comes into force on 6 July 2026 and ends 5 July 2031; the Marlborough selective licensing designation also comes into force on 6 July 2026 and ends 5 July 2031; the Wealdstone North and Wealdstone South designations both come into force on 1 September 2026 and end 31 August 2031; the licence fee is ?786 per property.
Background. A report presented to Harrow Council's Cabinet meeting in December 2025 approved six new selective licensing areas to be rolled out during 2026, with all six designations made on 2 February 2026 but with a staged implementation timeline.
The consultation attracted 74 responses from residents and 31 responses from landlords and agents, with just over half ? 57% ? of respondents expressing support for licensing private rented homes in Harrow.
Application process. A selective licensing postcode checker is available on the council's website, though as of April 2026 it did not yet include all of the new schemes; no press release or news article had been published on the council's website to raise awareness of these new schemes. Landlords must not assume the absence of publicity means no obligation exists. The Greenhill and Marlborough designations are imminent ? landlords in those wards should contact the council immediately via the email address published in the NRLA update to confirm their position.
Wider context. Selective licensing requires landlords to demonstrate compliance with management standards, gas and electrical safety, and tenancy management practices. Since 1 May 2026, operating an unlicensed property in a selective licensing area also prevents a landlord from relying on certain possession grounds under the RRA 2025 and exposes them to strengthened rent repayment orders. The Replacement Edgware ward scheme and the new Roxeth ward scheme have already been in force since 2 May 2026; affected landlords should confirm they are already licensed for those designations.
Action required
Landlords with privately rented properties in Harrow's Greenhill or Marlborough wards must obtain a selective licence before 6 July 2026. Contact the council immediately to confirm whether your property falls within a designated area and to submit an application. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence. Landlords in Wealdstone North and Wealdstone South wards must prepare to apply ahead of the 1 September 2026 start date.
Effective
2026-07-06
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