Havering Council is set to introduce a new additional HMO licensing scheme and selective licensing scheme for privately rented properties, starting Wednesday 18 March 2026.
The schemes aim to improve housing standards, help protect tenants, and support responsible landlords across the borough.
Landlords operating in seven of Havering’s 20 wards will be required to obtain a licence for each privately rented property they manage before renting to single families or two sharers.
This is known as a selective licensing scheme.
Additional HMO licensing will be in operation across the whole borough.
They will apply to homes that are rented to three or four unrelated persons that share amenities such as cooking and or washing facilities.
These initiatives follow extensive consultation with residents, landlords, and stakeholders, and is part of the Council’s wider commitment to tackling poor housing conditions, supporting safe, well-managed homes and promoting good private sector housing for local people.
Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, said:
“Everyone deserves a decent, safe place to live.
"These schemes will help us raise standards in the private rented sector, crack down on rogue landlords, and ensure tenants are treated fairly.
“We’re working closely with landlords to help support them to be compliant and make the process as smooth as possible.”
The schemes will apply to properties in areas identified as having high levels of privately rented homes, anti-social behaviour, and poor housing conditions.
Havering started accepting licence applications on 25 January 2026, and landlords are encouraged to apply for a licence before the scheme goes live on 18 March 2026 to avoid any enforcement action.
For full details of the scheme and information-sharing events, including how to apply and which areas are covered, visit our Private rented property licensing pages.