Lambeth Property Licensing: Which Schemes Apply to You?

Lambeth is a central south London borough with a large and varied private rented sector. Areas like Brixton, Stockwell, Clapham, Streatham, and Norwood all have significant concentrations of privately rented properties. Lambeth has introduced selective licensing across much of the borough to address property management standards and housing conditions.

Selective licensing in Lambeth

The London Borough of Lambeth operates a selective licensing scheme implemented in two phases. Phase 1 covers a large number of wards across the borough and requires landlords of privately rented properties in those areas to hold a selective licence. Phase 2 extended coverage to additional wards.

The scheme applies to properties rented to a single household or two unrelated people that are not already subject to HMO licensing. Landlords who fail to licence their properties face civil penalties of up to £30,000 or prosecution.

Additional licensing for HMOs in Lambeth

Lambeth also operates an additional licensing scheme for HMOs occupied by three or more people forming two or more households. This scheme covers properties that fall below the threshold for mandatory HMO licensing and applies across designated areas of the borough.

Landlords of shared houses and flats with three or four occupants should check whether their property is within the additional licensing area and whether a licence is required.

Mandatory HMO licensing

Properties in Lambeth occupied by five or more people forming two or more households, sharing facilities, are subject to mandatory HMO licensing under national legislation. This applies across the whole borough.

How to apply

Licence applications in Lambeth are submitted through the council's online licensing portal. For current information on designated areas, fees, and application requirements, visit the London Borough of Lambeth landlord licensing page.

---

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 If you spot an error or out-of-date information, please contact us.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

Related Guides

• What Is Selective Licensing? A Complete Guide for UK Landlords
• Selective vs Additional Licensing: What Is the Difference?
• Rental Licensing Fines: What UK Landlords Need to Know
• How to Stay Compliant with HMO Licensing
• Active licensing consultations and upcoming scheme changes