HMO licensing in Southwark

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

Southwark 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 boroughDesignated28 October 2021

Additional licensing active for HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing including s257 HMOs and flats in purpose-built blocks; designation declaration dated 2021-10-28; start and end dates not on page (page updated 2026-03-10)

Selective licensing

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

StatusIn forceWherenamed wards: 16 wards across four designations (including Champion Hill, Newington, Peckham Rye, Rotherhithe, Rye Lane, South Bermondsey, Surrey Docks)

Selective licensing active in 16 wards; designations 1 and 2 dated 2021-10-28 and designations 3 and 4 dated 2023-06-14; start and end dates not on page

Council HMO page · HMO Article 4 in Southwark

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