Harrow Council is rolling out six new selective licensing schemes across the borough between May and September 2026, covering Edgware, Roxeth, Greenhill, Marlborough, Wealdstone North and Wealdstone South. Standard single-let privately rented properties in designated wards will require a licence. Fees are ?786 per property for new applications.
Scheme background. Harrow Cabinet approved the designation of six new selective licensing wards at its December 2025 meeting. The schemes cover non-HMO privately rented homes ? meaning standard family lets and two-unrelated-sharer arrangements fall within scope, not just houses in multiple occupation. The approved wards are Edgware and Roxeth (from 2 May 2026), Greenhill and Marlborough (from 6 July 2026), and Wealdstone North and South (from 1 September 2026). The selective licensing fee is ?786 per property for new applications and renewals.
Additional HMO licensing renewal also imminent. Harrow's existing borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme, which covers smaller HMOs with three or more unrelated occupants, expires on 5 August 2026. The council consulted on renewing this scheme between December 2025 and February 2026. Landlords of smaller HMOs in Harrow should monitor the council's website closely for the designation decision and any revised licence conditions ahead of the August expiry date to avoid a compliance gap.
Enforcement context. Selective licensing authorities use data-matching techniques ? including council tax and tenancy data ? to identify unlicensed properties. Letting agents may be held jointly liable with landlords for operating an unlicensed property. Operating a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence and renders the landlord liable to an unlimited fine. It also exposes landlords to a rent repayment order application by the tenant covering up to twelve months of rent.
Fee structure and application process. Harrow Council charges ?786 per property for selective licence applications. For mandatory HMO licences, fees are ?1,900 for new applications and ?1,343.80 for renewals with no material change; additional HMO licences carry the same fee structure. Landlords should use the postcode checker on the Harrow Council website to confirm which scheme, if any, applies to each property and apply promptly before the relevant scheme start date.
Action required
Landlords with single-let or two-unrelated-sharer properties in Greenhill, Marlborough, Wealdstone North or Wealdstone South must apply for a selective licence before their ward's start date. Greenhill and Marlborough start 6 July 2026; Wealdstone North and South start 1 September 2026. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence with an unlimited fine and entitles tenants to apply for a rent repayment order.
Effective
2026-07-06
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