Hackney Council is currently consulting on major changes to the way private rental properties are licensed in the borough. If these proposals are approved, most landlords and letting agents operating in Hackney will be affected.
While it’s officially a “consultation,” it’s safe to assume that licensing is coming - and now’s the time to understand what’s on the table, how it might affect your portfolio, and how you can respond.
What’s Being Proposed?
Hackney Council is proposing two new schemes:
🔹 1. Additional Licensing Scheme (Borough-wide)
This would apply to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that aren’t already covered under the national mandatory scheme. That means:
Any property shared by 3 or more people forming 2 or more households, regardless of the number of storeys.
This includes many smaller flatshares or group lets that don’t currently require a licence.
🔹 2. Selective Licensing Scheme (17 Hackney Wards)
This would apply to all other privately rented properties (not HMOs) in 17 of Hackney’s 21 wards - selected based on issues with housing conditions and deprivation.
In short: if you let out a single-family property in most parts of Hackney, this will likely apply to you.
Who Will Be Affected?
In short: most Hackney landlords.
These schemes are far-reaching. If you let out:
- A shared flat with 3+ people on one AST → Additional Licence
- A self-contained flat or house → Selective Licence (in 17 wards)
Even landlords who already meet high standards will need to apply — these licences formalise compliance and introduce new obligations.
What Will Landlords Be Required to Do?
Landlords under either scheme will need to:
- Apply for a licence
- Maintain the property in a safe condition
- Complete timely repairs
- Manage waste appropriately
- Tackle anti-social behaviour linked to tenants
- Provide written tenancy agreements and safety documents
... all conditions already met by any landlord working with us here at base. Not only do we work closely with our landlords to maintain our portfolio of homes and provide relevant safety and legal documentation, but we do it all swiftly and to the satisfaction of our clients and our residents.
💰 Proposed Licensing Fees & Discounts
1. Selective Licence (for non-HMO private lets in 17 wards)
- £925 per property
- Licence typically lasts 5 years
2. Additional HMO Licence (for smaller HMOs not already covered by the national scheme)
- £1,400 per property
- Licence typically lasts 5 years
🎟️ Available Discounts
You may be eligible for the following reductions:
- £100 off if your property has an EPC rating of B or above
- £50 off if your property has an EPC rating of C
- £100 off if you’re an accredited landlord
(e.g. member of LLAS, NRLA, UKALA, ARLA, Safeagent, etc.) - £100 off for multi-dwelling applications (i.e. multiple properties submitted together)
Our Take: More Red Tape, More Costs
We completely support the goal of safe, well-managed homes, and we know many Hackney landlords do too. But let’s not sugarcoat this:
This is, in effect, an indirect tax on landlords - a way to bolster council budgets by formalising compliance that good landlords already meet.
It adds costs, admin, and time to letting in Hackney. For smaller landlords, that impact could be significant. And like many licensing schemes, it risks penalising responsible landlords while rogue operators continue to avoid enforcement.
How to Take Part in the Consultation
If you’re a landlord or letting agent operating in Hackney, this is your chance to:
- Give feedback on the proposed conditions
- Highlight unintended consequences
- Influence how licensing is rolled out and enforced
📌 Consultation link: bit.ly/Hackney-Licensing
📝 Deadline to respond: 21st September 2025 – act ASAP to have your say
Online Info Session – Save the Date
Hackney Council is hosting a virtual information session to walk landlords through the plans:
📅 Wednesday 16 July
🕕 6:00–7:30pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/landlord-licensing-consultation-session-for-landlords-and-letting-agents-tickets-1410594138039
We strongly encourage you to attend, especially if you’ve got questions about how this will affect your properties.
Final Thoughts: Get Ahead of This Now
Licensing changes in Hackney aren’t a “maybe” - they’re coming.
If you’re a landlord here, now’s the time to:
- Understand what’s proposed
- Review the consultation documents
- Respond before the deadline
- Get support where needed
We’re keeping close tabs on this, and we’ll be sharing further updates as it develops.
📩 Got questions or concerns? Want help reviewing your portfolio for compliance?
Get in touch – we’re here to help.
