Check if your landlord has a licence

In Brent, all private rented properties must have a licence to be legally rented out. This applies under one of the following schemes:

• Selective Licence
• Additional HMO Licence
• Mandatory HMO Licence

Exception

Single-family homes located in Wembley Park ward do not require a licence, unless the property is shared by more than 2 tenants (e.g. house shares).

HMO schemes

If you rent a home with three or more people who are not related and share facilities like a kitchen or bathroom, it’s classed as an HMO.

Your landlord will need a licence under the Mandatory or Additional HMO scheme.

Landlords of licensed HMOs must:

• Provide tenants with a written statement of the living terms, and
• Meet specific safety and management standards

Selective licensing scheme

Except for Wembley Park, if you live or will be living in a private rented property as a single household, the landlord will need a Selective licence to rent out the property.

Please check to see if your property has a licence.

Report an unlicensed property

Before you report a suspected unlicensed property, check to see if the property has a licence.

If you suspect a property in Brent may be an HMO without a licence, or if you know of an HMO which is unsafe, in poor repair or you have concerns about the management, you can report it to us online.

You can report any private rented property in any of the 21 wards (which excludes Wembley Park) if you think it doesn’t have the required Selective Licence.