HMO licensing in Lewisham

Which licences a rented house needs in Lewisham, and where. England. Checked 7 September 2026.

Lewisham runs additional licensing and selective licensing on top of mandatory licensing.

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing

Extends HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) in a designated area.

StatusIn forceWherewhole borough

Additional scheme came into force 2022-04-05 for any HMO not captured by mandatory licensing; approved by Mayor and Cabinet 2020-03-11; page gives no end date

Selective licensing

Every privately rented home in a designated area needs a licence, HMO or not.

StatusIn forceWherenamed wards: nearly all wards, excluding Telegraph Hill and parts of Blackheath

Selective scheme in effect from 2024-07-01 after DLUHC approval Dec 2023, around 20,000 properties; page gives no end date

Council HMO page · Council Article 4 page · HMO Article 4 in Lewisham

Check an exact postcode for Article 4

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.

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Sources: Lewisham council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.