How to Apply for a Landlord Licence in Brent: Step-by-Step Portal Guide

Before You Start

The portal collects property details and safety certificate uploads as part of the application, so gather and check the required documents before you start:

• Gas Safety Certificate (must be current — renewed annually)
• EICR with a satisfactory rating (valid for five years)
• EPC rated A–E (or a registered exemption)
• For HMO applications: scaled floor plans showing room uses, net floor areas in square metres and ceiling heights
• Contact details for the freeholder, any mortgage lender, and any managing agent
• Your LLAS membership number if you hold one (for the £40 fee discount)

Step 1: Register a Portal Account

Go to Brent Council's property licensing portal and create an account. You will need an email address and a password. This is the administrative account — it does not need to belong to the proposed licence holder, so an agent can register on behalf of the landlord.

Step 2: Identify the Right Licence Type

The portal will ask what type of licence you are applying for. If you are unsure, check Brent's address tool first to confirm the ward, then count occupants and households:

• Five or more people from two or more households sharing basic amenities → mandatory HMO
• Three or four people from two or more households sharing basic amenities → additional HMO
• Single household or one to two unrelated occupants → selective

Step 3: Enter Property and Occupancy Details

The portal collects the property address, structural details, room dimensions (in square metres for HMOs), amenity counts (kitchens, bathrooms, toilets) and the current number of occupants and households.

For HMO applications, this is where the floor plans are uploaded. The council uses room measurements to verify compliance with minimum size standards: 6.51 m² for a single bedroom, 10.22 m² for a double.

Step 4: Name the Licence Holder and Manager

The proposed licence holder must be the person or company receiving rental income with the legal authority to manage and repair the property. If a limited company holds the licence, you will need the company registration number and director details.

Overseas landlords must designate a UK-based managing agent or representative.

Step 5: Complete the Fit-and-Proper Declarations

You and any associated persons declare whether there are unspent criminal convictions (fraud, violence, drugs, sexual offences), civil discrimination findings, housing law breaches, or bankruptcy history. The council may request further evidence during processing.

Step 6: Serve Interested-Party Notices

Before (or on) the date of submission, you must serve written notice of the application on the freeholder, any mortgage lender, joint property owners and managing agents. The portal asks you to certify that this has been done.

Step 7: Pay Part A

Part A is payable by UK debit or credit card at the point of submission:

• Selective: £340
• Additional HMO: £540
• Mandatory HMO: £540

Without Part A payment, the application is rejected immediately. This fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.

Step 8: Wait for the Decision

Processing times vary. The council reviews the application, may request additional documents, and will schedule an inspection for HMO properties. Submitting a complete application with Part A payment gives you a statutory defence against unlicensed-letting charges while the application is being processed.

Step 9: Pay Part B

When the council decides to grant the licence, it issues a Notice of Intention. You then have 28 days to pay Part B:

• Selective: £300
• Additional HMO: £500
• Mandatory HMO: £500 (plus room surcharges)

Miss the deadline and the application is cancelled without refund.

For a printable pre-flight document checklist, fee calculator and portal walkthrough with screenshots, see our Brent Landlord Licensing Guide.

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