Harrow landlords, the council did not make one selective licensing scheme this year. It made six, one per ward, all on the same day, each with its own start date and its own map.
Plenty of landlords will get caught out because they check "the Harrow scheme" and find one document. There are six.
What Is Changing in Harrow?
Harrow has expanded its selective licensing scheme under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. It did so with six separate ward-level designations, each made on the 2nd of February 2026, coming into force in three waves:
| Ward | In force | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Edgware | 2 May 2026 | 1 May 2031 |
| Roxeth | 2 May 2026 | 1 May 2031 |
| Marlborough | 6 July 2026 | 5 July 2031 |
| Greenhill | 6 July 2026 | 5 July 2031 |
| Wealdstone North | 1 September 2026 | 31 August 2031 |
| Wealdstone South | 1 September 2026 | 31 August 2031 |
Each designation lasts five years from its own commencement date, or less if the council revokes it under section 84 of the Act.
Separately, an Article 4 direction for HMOs took effect in Harrow on the 12th of June 2026. That is planning, not licensing, and it needs its own check.
These are separate things. That matters.
Which Properties Are Affected?
Each designation applies to a house in its ward that is let or occupied under a tenancy or licence, unless an exemption applies. Six documents, six maps, so the address needs checking against the right one.
Important Exemptions Landlords Need to Understand
This is where a lot of people get caught out. The designations exempt:
- HMOs that must be licensed under the mandatory scheme
- tenancies granted by a registered social landlord
- properties under an Interim or Final Management Order
- properties with a temporary exemption in force
- tenancies exempt under the 2006 Order, listed in Annex B: business and agricultural tenancies, lettings by public bodies, accommodation regulated under other enactments such as care homes and children's homes, student lettings managed by a specified educational establishment under an approved code, long leases over 21 years, family arrangements where the freeholder or long leaseholder lets to a family member who lives there, holiday lets, and resident landlord arrangements where the occupier shares a toilet, washing facilities, kitchen or living room with the landlord or the landlord's family
The last two are the ones that get argued about.
A lodger who shares your kitchen is exempt. A tenant in a self-contained flat in your building is not, even if they are family, unless the family arrangement test in Annex B is met in full. And the shared amenity has to be a toilet, washing facilities, a kitchen or a living room. Not a staircase, not a corridor, not the hallway.
Licensing and Planning Are Two Different Questions
An Article 4 direction for HMOs has applied in Harrow since the 12th of June 2026. It removes the permitted development right to turn a house into a small HMO, so that conversion now needs planning permission first.
A licence never grants planning permission, and planning permission never grants a licence. Run them as two checks on every property.
Why This Matters
The designations say it is an offence for a person having control or managing a property to operate it without a valid selective licence where one is required.
Having control or managing. That is the agent as well as the landlord.
Since the 1st of May 2026 the maximum financial penalty is £40,000 per property, and rent repayment orders run to 24 months' rent.
So no, this is not a minor admin issue.
What Landlords Should Do Now
1. Check each address against the right ward map
Six designations, six maps. The wrong map gives the wrong answer.
2. Apply for anything unlicensed in a live ward
All six are now in force.
3. Get planning permission before creating any new small HMO
The Article 4 has applied since the 12th of June.
4. If you manage for a landlord, check rather than wait
The offence reaches you too.
Why Landlords Get This Wrong
- "I checked the Harrow scheme." There are six.
- "My ward wasn't in it in May." Two more started in July, two more in September.
- "I've got a lodger, so I'm exempt." Only if they share a toilet, washing facilities, a kitchen or a living room with you.
- "It's family." The family exemption has conditions, and all of them have to be met.
- "We have the licence, so we can convert." A licence is not planning permission.
How Yuno Can Help
Yuno helps landlords, agents and property managers deal with licensing properly. We can help you:
- check each Harrow address against the correct ward designation
- confirm whether an exemption genuinely applies
- run the licensing and planning questions as two separate checks
- review your documents and compliance position
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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What Every Licensing Strategy Should Include
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.
2. Licensing Checks & Applications
We identify which licences your properties need — and handle the applications for you. No copy-pasting. Everything is tailored, correct, and submitted on your behalf.
3. Planning Review & Assessments
We assess planning constraints too, giving you visibility before you buy, let, or convert. Avoid costly planning breaches.
4. Council Liaison & Evidence Packs
We deal directly with local authorities, submit compliance evidence, and keep you updated with real-time progress.
5. Renewals & Notifications : Never miss a renewal again.
We monitor expiry dates and prompt you before action is needed — integrated into our Yuno platform.
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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Yuno provides end-to-end compliance support for landlord licensing, HMO certification, Fire, EPC standards, and local authority requirements. Let us handle the hard work - you stay fully compliant.