Hillingdon Council's new borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme comes into force on 24 August 2026, extending licensing to HMOs occupied by three or four people. Applications opened on 20 May 2026 and must be submitted by 23 August 2026. The licence fee is ?1,401 per property for a five-year term.
Scope of the scheme. Hillingdon Council's Cabinet approved the new additional licensing scheme on 19 February 2026. The scheme is borough-wide and applies to HMOs occupied by three or four people from two or more households sharing amenities. It does not extend to section 257 HMOs (certain converted blocks of flats that fall outside mandatory licensing). The council already operates mandatory HMO licensing for properties occupied by five or more persons; the new scheme fills the gap below that threshold and runs for five years from 24 August 2026.
Fees and discounts. The licence fee is ?1,401 per property, payable in two instalments: Part A of ?934 on application, and Part B of ?467 on grant of the licence. Accredited landlords and managing agents receive a 10% reduction, bringing the total to ?1,260.80. Landlords should budget accordingly and confirm the current fee structure with the council before applying, as fees are set by the local authority.
Application requirements. Hillingdon Council is accepting applications from 20 May 2026. Required supporting documents include a current gas safety certificate (dated within one year), a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report, a fire detection alarm test report (dated within one year), an Energy Performance Certificate, and floor plans showing room measurements, smoke alarm locations, and kitchen layout. For three-storey properties an emergency lighting report is also required. The council aims to process applications within 12 weeks, so early submission is strongly advisable ahead of the 24 August 2026 commencement date.
Enforcement consequences. Landlords operating unlicensed HMOs after 24 August 2026 face prosecution in the Magistrates Court or a civil financial penalty of up to ?30,000 per property. Additional sanctions include Rent Repayment Orders and an entry on the Mayor of London's Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker. The scheme operates alongside the borough-wide Article 4 Direction introduced in December 2025, which requires planning permission before a family home can be converted into an HMO.
Action required
HMO landlords in Hillingdon with properties let to three or four unrelated people must apply for an additional licence before 24 August 2026. Applications are accepted online at the council's Private Sector Housing portal. Gather required documents including gas safety certificate, EICR, EPC, fire alarm test report, and floor plans before applying.
Effective
2026-08-24
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.