Do I need an HMO licence in Waltham Forest? (2026)
Last updated 2026-06-20
In Waltham Forest, an HMO licence is required where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Waltham Forest operates Mandatory, Additional, Selective licensing, which can require a licence for smaller shared homes below the mandatory threshold. The council fee is £1,650, paid directly to Waltham Forest. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the whole application for £599.
Check & start my Waltham Forest application — £599
- Licence needed?
- Yes, where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
- Schemes in operation
- Mandatory, Additional, Selective licensing
- Council fee
- £1,650
- Processing time
- check with Waltham Forest
- Article 4
- Yes
How much does an HMO licence cost in Waltham Forest?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Waltham Forest is £1,650, with our done-for-you service at £599.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Council fee — on application (Part A) | £825 |
| Council fee — on grant (Part B) | £825 |
| Council fee — total (paid to the council) | £1,650 |
| Get HMO Licence — we do it for you | £599 |
| Measured floor plan where the council requires a scaled plan | Price on request |
| Fire risk assessment where required for the licence | Price on request |
Verified 2026-06-20
The council’s own fee is paid directly to the council — we add no markup.
Scheme types in Waltham Forest
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs (5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet).
- Waltham Forest operates additional licensing, which can cover smaller HMOs.
- Waltham Forest operates selective licensing for certain rented homes in designated areas.
Article 4 directions in Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest has at least one Article 4 direction that removes permitted development rights for HMO conversions.
Local rules in Waltham Forest
- Mandatory HMO banded by units: £1,650 (up to 8 units), £2,200 (9-19), £5,500 (20+).
- Additional HMO £1,200 (Part A £600 + Part B £600); Selective £895.
- Both additional and selective schemes renewed 2025, run to ~2030.
- Discounts: multi-property £125/dwelling, EPC C £95-£195, EPC A/B £295-£400.
- Borough-wide HMO Article 4 direction confirmed 16 September 2014.
How long does it take in Waltham Forest?
Waltham Forest does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Waltham Forest when we submit your application.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an HMO licence in Waltham Forest?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Waltham Forest is £1,650. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the application for £599.
How long does an HMO licence take in Waltham Forest?
Waltham Forest does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Waltham Forest when we submit your application.
Does Waltham Forest have additional or selective licensing?
Waltham Forest operates Mandatory, Additional, Selective licensing, so smaller shared homes can also need a licence.
Can Get HMO Licence apply for my Waltham Forest HMO licence for me?
Yes. Get HMO Licence completes and submits your Waltham Forest HMO licence application for £599, with the council fee paid directly to Waltham Forest.
Renting a shared home in Waltham Forest? You may need an HMO licence.
Operating an unlicensed HMO risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months’ rent (Renters' Rights Act 2025).
We handle the whole application for £599.
Doing it yourself is the best part of a day — chasing certificates and decoding your council’s forms. We give you that day back: about five minutes from you, and we handle the rest.
Start my Waltham Forest application — £599What you get
- Your day back — about five minutes of input from you, not a day of paperwork
- We complete and submit the full application to your council
- All the right forms for your council’s scheme
- A document checklist so nothing is missed
- A specialist review before submission
- Email support throughout
The council’s own fee (around £1,650) is paid directly to the council — no markup.
If we make an error that gets your application rejected as incomplete, we fix it free. We can never guarantee a licence. That decision is the council’s.
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Prefer we call you and take it from here?
Leave your details — no payment to enquire — and we’ll confirm Waltham Forest’s scheme and handle the whole application for you.
Prefer to DIY? Waltham Forest HMO register →