Croydon landlords, since the 25th of September 2026 the council has operated two licensing schemes at once: Selective Licensing across 14 wards, and Additional HMO Licensing across the whole borough. Both designations were approved on the 25th of March 2026 and run until the 1st of September 2031.
There is one feature of the Croydon schemes that no other council we track has repeated. Applications opened on the same morning the schemes came into force. Not a day earlier.
What Is Changing in Croydon?
Croydon has designated:
- a Selective Licensing scheme across 14 wards
- an Additional HMO Licensing scheme across the whole borough, all 28 wards, excluding section 257 converted blocks
These are separate schemes. That matters.
The start date also moved. Both schemes were originally set to begin on the 1st of September 2026. In the last week of August the council pushed them to the 25th of September, saying it wanted its systems fully in place first. Applications moved with the start date rather than opening ahead of it.
The practical result is that on the morning of the 25th, every property in scope was technically unlicensed, with no way to have applied sooner. If you submitted that day, keep the confirmation. That timestamp is the evidence of when you acted.
Which Wards Are Covered by Selective Licensing?
- Addiscombe East
- Addiscombe West
- Bensham Manor
- Broad Green
- Fairfield
- Norbury and Pollards Hill
- Norbury Park
- Selhurst
- South Croydon
- South Norwood
- Thornton Heath
- Waddon
- West Thornton
- Woodside
Ward boundaries run down the middle of some streets in Croydon, so check the address on the council's Croydon Observatory map rather than relying on the area name.
Which Properties Are Affected?
Selective licensing applies to every privately rented property in the 14 wards, including a one-bed flat with a single tenant, unless an exemption applies.
Additional HMO licensing applies across the whole borough to any property let to three or more people from two or more households, where it is not already caught by the national mandatory scheme.
One point worth being clear about: converted blocks of flats under section 257 are not in Croydon's additional scheme. The designation excludes them. If you have read otherwise, it is wrong.
Important Exemptions Landlords Need to Understand
A property in one of the 14 wards is not automatically a selective licensing case. The usual statutory exemptions apply, including properties requiring mandatory HMO licensing, properties covered by the borough's additional HMO scheme, lettings by a registered social landlord, properties under an Interim or Final Management Order, and properties with a temporary exemption in force.
So the question is not "is my property in Croydon". It is "is my property in one of the 14 wards, and if so, which of the two schemes applies".
Those are not the same question.
The Fees
| Selective, 5 years | Additional HMO, 5 years | |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Part A, on application | £480 | £750 |
| Part B, on grant | £320 | £500 |
| Total | £800 | £1,250 |
One-year versions exist at £544 selective and £850 additional.
Discounts come off Part B unless stated: £50 for EPC B or above, £100 for an accredited landlord, covering LLAS, NRLA, UKALA, ARLA, RICS and Safeagent. The multi-dwelling discount is selective only, at £100 off Part A for the second and each further property in common ownership applied for together.
Two things to know. Part A is not refunded if the application is refused, rejected or withdrawn. And the discounts are withheld if the council has had to ask twice for documents, or has already sent a warning letter about an unlicensed property.
Why This Matters
Operating a licensable property without a licence can lead to prosecution and an unlimited fine, or a financial penalty. Since the 1st of May 2026 the maximum penalty is £40,000, up from £30,000, and rent repayment orders now run to 24 months' rent rather than 12.
The number people quote is the maximum. The number that should worry you is where it starts. Government guidance tells councils to begin at £17,000 for an unlicensed HMO and £12,000 for an unlicensed selective property, before anything is added for aggravating factors.
There is some history here. Croydon ran a selective licensing scheme from the 1st of October 2015 to the 30th of September 2020. When the council applied for a new borough-wide scheme, the Secretary of State refused it on the 7th of June 2021, saying the council had not demonstrated how the proposal was consistent with its overall housing strategy, how the designation would significantly assist it in achieving its objectives, or strong outcomes and efficient delivery from the previous scheme.
This time the scheme covers 14 wards rather than the whole borough, and the council says it will use data to identify unlicensed properties.
So no, this is not a minor admin issue.
What Landlords Should Do Now
1. Map every Croydon property against the 14 wards, by address
Use the Croydon Observatory rather than the area name.
2. Split the list three ways
Single lets in the 14 wards, three to four person HMOs anywhere in the borough, and five or more person HMOs.
3. Collect the documents
Gas safety certificate where applicable, EICR, and proof of the licence holder's address if they are an individual. Check EPCs and accreditation while you are there, they are worth £150 between them.
4. Agree who holds the licence
An agent can be the licence holder, but it should be agreed with the landlord rather than assumed.
5. Apply, and keep the confirmation
The schemes are in force. The date you applied is the thing you will be asked about.
Why Landlords Get This Wrong
- "It's only a flat."
- "It's not an HMO, so I'm fine."
- "We're in Croydon but not in one of those wards." Said about a street that runs along a ward boundary.
- "The converted block must be caught too." In Croydon's additional scheme, it is not.
- "My managing agent must have done it."
Licensing responsibility does not disappear because you assumed someone else was handling it.
How Yuno Can Help
Yuno helps landlords, agents and property managers deal with licensing properly. We can help you:
- check which of the two Croydon schemes applies to each property
- confirm whether an address falls inside one of the 14 wards
- review your documents and compliance position
- reduce the risk of delays, rejected applications and enforcement action
If you would like our team's support with your licence application, we can apply on your behalf or help you through the process. Feel free to book a free 15-minute call.
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A good licensing approach isn’t reactive, it’s strategic. We help you plan ahead to avoid enforcement notices, fines, and missed rental income. Our support includes:
1. Portfolio Risk Scans
Integrated to CRMs and other tech partners through API. For agents, managers or portfolio landlords, we bulk-scan your property list for licensing or planning issues — and flag risks before they become liabilities.
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We assess planning constraints too, giving you visibility before you buy, let, or convert. Avoid costly planning breaches.
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6. Exemptions, Temporary Relief & Support for Appeals
If things go wrong or you inherit a problem, we help you file temporary exemption notices (TENs), gather supporting documentation, and advise on enforcement responses.
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