Selective Property Licensing
On this page
- Introduction
- Does my property need a Selective Licence?
- How to apply
- Fees and discounts
- Licence conditions
- Exemptions
- Key documents
- Contact us
Introduction
On 17 November 2022, our new Selective Licensing scheme came into force. The scheme will run for 5 years and aims to provide safer, well-managed housing for private renters in the areas most in need.
Through the scheme, we will work with landlords to ensure that privately-rented homes are decent and tackle any unscrupulous practices. We believe this will create a fairer, better-performing, and more reputable private rented sector for all.
All privately rented homes let to a single person, 2 people, or a single household (e.g. a family) within the Selective Licensing zone now require a selective licence.
Read the official Notice of Designation for the scheme (PDF, 500KB)
Does my property need a Selective Licence?
Selective Licensing applies to all privately-rented homes let to a single person, 2 people or a single household (e.g. a family) in the following wards, regardless of their occupation or size:
- Bounds Green
- Bruce Castle
- Harringay
- Hermitage and Gardens
- Noel Park
- Northumberland Park
- Seven Sisters
- South Tottenham
- St Ann's
- Tottenham Central
- Tottenham Hale
- West Green
- White Hart Lane
- Woodside
You can use our online tool to check if your property needs a licence.
View the map of the designated area for Selective Licensing (PDF, 348KB).
Read the full list of streets covered by Selective Licensing (PDF, 812KB).
How to apply
You can apply for a Selective Licence using our online property licensing portal. You will need to create a new user account before making a licence application. As part of this process, we will send an activation link to your email address. Please click on the link to activate your account. If you do not receive the email within a few minutes, please check your spam folder.
You will need to have the following information to hand to make an application:
- Full contact details for the proposed licence holder (person or organisation). Licence holders must be based in the UK
- The date of birth of the proposed licence holder if they are not an organisation
- Details about persons and organisations with an interest in the property (such as freeholders, leaseholders, managing agents and mortgage providers). An email address or telephone number must be provided for each interested party
- Details about the property's structure, room sizes (square metres) and amenities
- Details about the property's health and safety measures, including the location of its smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Payment card details
You will also need to upload a copy of the following documents:
- Energy performance certificate (EPC)
- Electrical installation condition report (EICR)
- Gas safety certificate (if there is a gas supply to the property)
Please contact the property licensing team if you need help applying online. You can also request a paper application form for an extra charge of £100.
Fees and discounts
The standard fee for a selective licence is £600 for the 5-year duration of the scheme. The fee is split into 2 parts which we collect separately:
- Part A is £350 – this covers administration costs and is due when you submit your application.
- Part B is £250 – this covers enforcement costs and is due once your application is approved. We will not issue licences if the Part B payment is outstanding.
We aim to process applications within 90 days. This period may be longer during the scheme's first year.
We may reduce the length of a licence for incidences of severe or persistent non-compliance.
We also have a range of discounts available. You can claim these discounts in conjunction with each other.
Discount type | Eligibility criteria | Discount | How to apply? |
|---|---|---|---|
Accredited landlord | You must be an accredited licence holder under one of the following schemes:
Or a member of one of the following organisations:
| £50 off part B payment | You will need to provide your membership/registration number when applying The discount will then be applied automatically by our online application form |
EPC | Your property must have an EPC rating of C or above | £50 off part B payment | All Selective Licence applications need to be supported by an EPC If your property’s EPC rating qualifies for the discount, our processing officers will apply it before requesting the Part B fee |
| Owners of buildings containing multiple self-contained flats | You must own or manage 3 or more rented flats in the same block or building | £75.00 off part A payment (in respect of the 2nd, 3rd flats etc) The full rate will be charged for the first flat | If eligible, please contact the Property Licensing Team before submitting your applications, so we can arrange an offline payment |
Read the full Selective Licensing fee structure (PDF, 180KB).
Licence conditions
All privately-rented homes licenced under the scheme must comply with the set conditions for a Selective Licence. We may carry out a visit during the licence period to ensure that licence conditions are complied with. Failure to comply could result in enforcement action in accordance with our Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy (PDF, 140KB).
Read the full Selective Licensing conditions (PDF, 2MB)
Exemptions
Some tenancies and licences to occupy a property are exempt from Selective Licensing. You can find these under The Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 (external link).
Temporary exemptions
You can apply for a temporary exemption notice if steps are being taken to exempt the property from requiring a licence under Part 2 or 3 of the Housing Act 2004. Potentially eligible circumstances include:
- the property is in the process of being sold
- the owner has given the tenants notice and the property will be sold
- the owner of the property is moving into the property
- the property is in the process of being converted into a commercial premise
A temporary exemption notice will last for 3 months, and only the owner or person in control of the property can make an application. A notice can be renewed for an extra 3 months in exceptional circumstances. Should the property still require a licence after the notice expires, you must apply immediately.
Apply for a temporary exemption notice
Key documents
- Letter of confirmation from the Secretary of State (PDF, 145KB)
- Notice of Designation for the scheme (PDF, 500KB)
- Selective Licensing Designation (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Map of the designated area (PDF, 348KB)
- List of streets covered by Selective Licensing (PDF, 812KB)
- Selective Licensing fee structure (PDF, 180KB)
- Selective Licensing conditions (PDF, 2MB)
- Minutes of Cabinet decision – 8 March 2022
- Press release
Contact us
If you have any questions about Selective Licensing or require help, please get in touch. You can email the property licensing team at propertylicensing@haringey.gov.uk.