Landlord Licensing Guide

London Borough of Tower Hamlets has a live landlord licensing scheme

London Borough · London · Last researched 2026-08-28

Selective licensing in London Borough of Tower Hamlets

🔴 IS LIVE NOW

Selective licensing (4 wards); runs 2021-10-01 to 2026-09-30; coverage: partial

Designated areas: Spitalfields and Banglatown, Stepney Green, Weavers, Whitechapel. Partial-coverage schemes only apply on specific streets — check the council's own boundary map for your exact address.

High confidence — verified on the council's own site. Sources: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/housing/Private-tenants-landlords-and-homeowners/Property-licensing/Licences/Additional-licensing.aspx · https://boroughready.com/tower-hamlets/licensing · https://www.kammadata.com/uk-property-guide/property-licensing-guide-for-tower-hamlets/

Additional licensing in London Borough of Tower Hamlets

🔴 IS LIVE NOW

Borough-wide additional (HMO) licensing; runs 2024-04-01 to 2029-03-31; coverage: borough-wide; fee: £1323 (Additional HMO licence (from 1 April 2026, after 75% increase))

Designated areas: All 20 wards. Partial-coverage schemes only apply on specific streets — check the council's own boundary map for your exact address.

National obligations that apply everywhere in England

These apply regardless of London Borough of Tower Hamlets's own licensing rules — every England landlord is on the hook for these:

Annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — Any property with gas — unlimited fine and/or imprisonment on conviction if missing.
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Every rental property — a live legal requirement in England since 2020.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — Every rental property — currently rated E or above to be let legally.
Tenancy deposit protection — Any deposit taken — must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
Right to Rent checks — Every tenant — landlords must verify immigration status before letting.
PRS Landlord Database registration — Phasing in nationally 2026–2028 under the Renters' Rights Act — a new, separate requirement from council licensing.

Get your exact compliance status for a property in London Borough of Tower Hamlets — free, in under 2 minutes.

Check my compliance — free Get the full £9 audit

Related guides

Information, not legal advice. Compiled from public sources on 2026-08-28; licensing schemes change on a weeks-to-months cadence, not annually, so always confirm directly with London Borough of Tower Hamlets before relying on this for a real letting decision. Overall confidence for this page: high.