Brent Selective Licensing: Schemes, Wards and Expiry Dates Explained

Two Designations, Not One

Brent Council does not operate a single borough-wide selective licensing scheme. There are two separate designations, each with its own start date, expiry date and ward list. Getting the distinction wrong can mean applying under the wrong scheme or missing a renewal deadline.

Designation 1 (Public Notice 1/2023) came into force on 1 August 2023 and expires on 31 July 2028. It covers three wards: Harlesden & Kensal Green, Dollis Hill and Willesden Green.

Designation 2 (Public Notice 2/2023), confirmed by the Secretary of State on 30 November 2023, came into force on 1 April 2024 and expires on 31 March 2029. It covers the remaining 18 designated wards.

Together, the two designations cover 21 of Brent's 22 electoral wards. The single exception is Wembley Park, where single-family lets are exempt from selective licensing entirely.

Which Properties Need a Selective Licence

Selective licensing applies to privately rented properties let to a single person, two unrelated persons, or a single-family household. If your property houses three or more people from two or more households who share basic amenities, it falls under HMO licensing instead — selective licensing does not apply because an HMO licence legally displaces it.

The priority hierarchy runs: mandatory HMO first (five or more occupants from two or more households sharing basic amenities), then additional HMO (three or four occupants from two or more households sharing basic amenities), then selective. A property cannot hold two licences simultaneously.

Why Postcodes Are Not Enough

UK postcodes frequently cross electoral ward boundaries. A postcode beginning with HA9 might sit in Wembley Park (exempt) or in a neighbouring ward that requires a selective licence. The only reliable check is Brent Council's interactive GIS mapping portal, where you enter the full property address and the system confirms which ward it falls in.

Designation Expiry Dates and Renewal

Both designations are five-year schemes. Designation 1 expires on 31 July 2028, and Designation 2 expires on 31 March 2029. When a designation expires, the council may consult on renewal, but there is no automatic continuation. Existing licences issued under a designation remain valid until their individual expiry date, even if the broader scheme lapses.

Submit any renewal application at least 60 days before your licence expires. A late renewal is treated as a brand-new application, which means the higher new-application fee (£640 instead of £600) and an unprotected gap where the property is technically unlicensed.

What This Means for Your Application

If you have a single-household rental in one of the 21 designated wards, you need a selective licence. The application goes through Brent's online portal, with fees split into a non-refundable Part A (£340) and Part B (£300) payable when the council decides to grant the licence.

For a walkthrough of the full application process, documents, fees and conditions, see our Brent Landlord Licensing Guide.

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