What the New Schemes Involve
Wandsworth Council is introducing two new licensing schemes to improve standards in the private rental sector and tackle poorly managed properties:
- Selective Licensing – applies to all privately rented homes in specific wards.
- Additional Licensing – applies to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the entire borough.
These schemes are in addition to the existing national Mandatory HMO licensing.
When the New Rules Start
- Selective Licensing:
- Starts 1 July 2025 in Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec, and Tooting Broadway.
- Additional Licensing (HMO):
- Starts 1 September 2025 and covers all HMOs with 3+ unrelated tenants borough-wide.
Your Risk of Enforcement
Failing to apply for the correct licence on time is not a small risk — it can lead to fines up to £30,000, prosecution, repayment of up to 12 months’ rent to tenants, and being listed on the Rogue Landlord Database.
We’ve analysed Wandsworth’s proposals alongside enforcement patterns from other London boroughs to estimate the real likelihood of consequences if you’re unprepared.
Licensing Type | Wards Covered | Start Date | Estimated Risk Level | Key Message | Comparable Enforcement Evidence |
Selective Licensing | Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway | 1 July 2025 | 🔴 High (80–90%) | Licensing is mandatory from 1 July — any rented property without a licence will be non-compliant from Day 1. | Newham Council issued 2,200+ enforcement notices in year 1 (Newham.gov.uk) |
Additional Licensing (HMOs) | Borough-wide | 1 Sept 2025 | 🔴 High (70–80%) | All HMOs with 3+ unrelated tenants need licensing. Enforcement will be borough-wide. | Camden Council licensed 6,000+ HMOs in 18 months (Camden.gov.uk) |
Targeted Inspections (EPC, hazards, ASB) | Borough-wide (prioritised) | From July 2025 | 🟠 Mod–High (60–70%) | High-risk properties (EPC D or below, complaints, ASB) will be first in line for inspections. | Brent Council uses EPC data and complaints to target inspections (Brent.gov.uk) |
Documentation Breaches | Borough-wide | From July 2025 | 🔴 Very High (90%+) | Over 20 licensing conditions apply — documentation errors are the most common reason for breaches. | Croydon Council found >70% of inspected landlords failed conditions (InsideHousing) |
Delays & Late Applications | All wards | June–Sept 2025 peak | 🟠 Moderate (70%) | Councils often face application backlogs — delaying could trigger enforcement or higher costs. | Lewisham Council reported 12+ week application delays post-launch (Lewisham.gov.uk) |
Enforcement Risk Table – Wandsworth Licensing 2025
Why These Risks Are Real
- Newham Council issued over 2,200 enforcement notices in its first year of borough-wide licensing.
- Camden Council licensed 6,000+ HMOs in 18 months, with active inspections.
- Croydon Council found 70%+ of landlords failed licensing conditions on first inspection.
- Lewisham Council experienced severe application backlogs after launch, leaving late applicants exposed.
How Yuno Can Help You Get Compliant
Yuno helps landlords, agents, and property managers:
- Check which scheme applies to each property
- Gather and prepare all required documents
- Submit accurate applications on time
- Reduce the risk of enforcement, fines, and reputational damage
