Brent Licence Conditions: What Your Property Licence Requires After It Is Granted

Licence Conditions Are Not Optional

Once Brent Council grants a property licence, a set of mandatory and local conditions attaches to it for the entire licence term — typically five years. Breaching any condition is a criminal offence carrying fines of up to £5,000 per breach, or a civil penalty of up to £40,000 under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004.

The conditions below apply to selective, additional HMO and mandatory HMO licences. HMO licences carry additional conditions around room sizes and occupancy caps.

Rent Documentation

You must maintain written records of all rent payments received. Tenants must receive a written receipt or statement at least quarterly (weekly or monthly for cash payments). The council can demand rent records within 14 days of a written request.

This catches landlords who accept cash without paper trails — Brent treats missing rent documentation as a licence condition breach.

Written Terms of Occupation

Every tenant must receive written terms of their tenancy. Since the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Phase 1, 1 May 2026), all private tenancies are Assured Periodic Tenancies. The written terms must be supplied to the council within 14 days if requested.

Anti-Social Behaviour

The licence holder must manage tenant-generated anti-social behaviour. The required process:

1. Respond to any ASB complaint within 14 days
2. Issue a written notice to the tenant explaining the consequences of continued behaviour
3. Monitor the situation for 28 days
4. Cooperate with Brent Council and the Metropolitan Police throughout

Ignoring a noise complaint from neighbours is a licence condition breach, even if you live hundreds of miles from the property.

Building Security

Front doors must have mortice locks with internal thumbturn mechanisms (or equivalent 5-lever security). This means tenants can exit without a key in an emergency — a fire safety requirement. Windows on lower floors must be lockable.

Waste Management

Provide suitable external waste and recycling bins. Within 7 days of a new tenant moving in, supply written waste disposal instructions — which bin for which waste, which collection day, where bins are stored. Yards and gardens must be kept clear of accumulated refuse.

Pest Control

Properties and outdoor areas must be kept free from pest infestations. If a tenant reports pests, the landlord must arrange professional eradication within 7 days of the report.

Tenant References

Retain evidence of pre-tenancy background checks for every tenant. These records must be supplied to the council within 14 days if demanded. Brent does not prescribe a specific referencing method, but you need to show you conducted some form of check.

Council Inspections

Under condition 22 of Brent's standard licence conditions, you must grant council officers access for compliance inspections within 14 days of written notice. The council schedules inspections with advance notice to respect tenant privacy. For HMO properties, the inspection will include checks against HHSRS hazards (damp, mould, excess cold, fire risks, structural defects) and room measurement verification.

Occupancy Caps (HMO Only)

HMO licences state the maximum number of occupants permitted in each bedroom and the property overall. Exceeding the cap — even temporarily — is a breach. Advertising a room as suitable for two people when the licence caps it at one is enough to trigger enforcement.

What a Breach Triggers

Brent Council can:

• Issue a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per breach
• Prosecute in the Magistrates' Court (unlimited fines for the most serious offences)
• Vary or revoke the licence
• Issue a shortened licence (typically one year) at the next renewal

Tenants can also use a licence condition breach as supporting evidence in a Rent Repayment Order application.

For a printable conditions tracker and ongoing compliance log, see our Brent Landlord Licensing Guide.

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