Rental Property Licensing in Lewisham

Lewisham is a south-east London borough with a substantial private rented sector, particularly in areas like Catford, Deptford, Brockley, and Lewisham town centre. The council introduced a selective licensing scheme in 2024 covering a large portion of the borough.

Selective licensing in Lewisham

The Lewisham selective licensing scheme came into effect on 1 July 2024 and will run for five years until 30 June 2029. The scheme covers designated wards across the borough and requires landlords of privately rented properties in those areas to obtain a selective licence.

The scheme applies to properties rented to a single household or two unrelated people that are not subject to HMO licensing. Landlords operating without a licence in a designated area face civil penalties of up to £30,000 or prosecution.

Additional licensing for HMOs in Lewisham

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

Landlords of shared properties with three or four occupants should check whether their property falls within the additional licensing designation.

Mandatory HMO licensing

Properties in Lewisham occupied by five or more people forming two or more households, sharing facilities, are subject to mandatory HMO licensing. This is a national requirement and applies across the whole borough.

How to apply

Licence applications in Lewisham are made through the council's online portal. For current information on designated areas, licence fees, and conditions, visit the London Borough of Lewisham private rented sector licensing page.