Licensing in Waltham Forest Council is set street by street. Check whether a specific address needs a licence with the free property licence checker, or see if it falls in a selective licensing area. See also: Article 4 Direction in Waltham Forest Council — HMO planning rules.
Waltham Forest launched a new borough-wide selective licensing scheme in May 2025, which runs until 30 April 2030. This means all privately rented properties in the borough require a selective licence. Waltham Forest also operates additional HMO licensing for smaller shared properties.
Waltham Forest Council's selective licensing scheme covers the entire borough. All privately rented properties - regardless of size, type, or location within the borough - require a selective licence. The scheme runs until 30 April 2030.
Landlords who fail to obtain a licence face:
Waltham Forest also operates:
This page was researched and written by the Tuxa editorial team. Our data is sourced directly from local authority websites, MHCLG scheme designation orders, and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). We update our content when councils announce new schemes or enforcement actions. If you spot an error or out-of-date information, please contact us.
Last reviewed: March 2026
Waltham Forest London Borough Council charges the following fees for property licences:
Waltham Forest launched a borough-wide selective licensing scheme in May 2025, which means all privately rented properties in the borough require a selective licence. Early application discounts may apply.
Waltham Forest is a north-east London borough covering 38.8 square kilometres. The borough is divided into 20 wards, including Chingford Green, Hatch Lane, Highams Park, Higham Hill, Hoe Street, Lea Bridge, Leyton, Leytonstone, Markhouse, and Wood Street.
Waltham Forest's borough-wide selective licensing scheme covers all 20 wards. This means that all privately rented properties in the borough, regardless of location, require a selective licence. The scheme runs from May 2025 to April 2030.
Key postcodes in Waltham Forest: E4, E10, E11, E17.
Applications for selective licences in Waltham Forest are made through the council's online portal:
All landlords with privately rented properties in Waltham Forest must apply for a selective licence. Failure to apply is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004.
Does my Waltham Forest rental property need a licence? Yes. Waltham Forest operates a borough-wide selective licensing scheme from May 2025. All privately rented properties in the borough require a selective licence, regardless of size or occupancy.
What are the penalties for renting without a licence in Waltham Forest? Waltham Forest Council can issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 per unlicensed property. Tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 12 months of rent paid while the property was unlicensed.
When did Waltham Forest's selective licensing scheme start? Waltham Forest's borough-wide selective licensing scheme started in May 2025 and runs until April 2030.
How long does a Waltham Forest selective licence last? Waltham Forest Council grants selective licences for five years, aligned with the scheme designation period.
Last reviewed: March 2026. Source: Waltham Forest Council housing licensing pages; Housing Act 2004.