Croydon Landlord Licence Renewal: When It Expires and How to Reapply

How Long a Croydon Licence Lasts

A standard Croydon property licence — whether selective, additional HMO or mandatory HMO — runs for up to five years. The two new discretionary schemes (selective licensing across 14 wards and borough-wide additional HMO licensing) both started on 25 September 2026 and expire on 24 September 2031. Mandatory HMO licensing is a permanent national scheme with no expiry date for the scheme itself, though individual licences still have a fixed term.

The maximum licence term is five years, matching the scheme duration. If you apply early in the scheme period, you could hold a licence from late 2026 through to September 2031. Apply later — say in 2029 — and your licence still cannot extend past the scheme end date, so you would receive a shorter term.

One-Year Licences and Reduced Terms

Not every application results in a full five-year licence. Croydon Council issues one-year licences when it has concerns about management competence, historical compliance issues, unresolved property defects or unclear planning status.

The fees for a one-year licence are lower but not proportionally so:

• Selective licensing: £544 for one year (versus £800 for five years)
• Additional HMO: £850 for one year (versus £1,250 for five years)
• Mandatory HMO: £201 per habitable room for one year (versus £295 per room for five years)

A one-year licence requires the same application process, documents and conditions as a five-year one. If the council grants you a one-year term, address whatever concerns prompted the shorter term before your renewal application.

When to Start the Renewal Process

There is no automatic renewal. Your licence expires on its stated date, and operating without a valid licence after that point is a criminal offence carrying civil penalties of up to £40,000.

Start preparing your renewal at least three months before expiry:

1. Check your licence expiry date on the council portal or your original grant letter
2. Update all safety certificates — gas safety (CP12), EICR, EPC and fire risk assessment must all be current at the point of resubmission
3. Commission a fresh floor plan if any layout changes have occurred since the original application
4. Check your accreditation or membership status against Croydon's accepted schemes (LLAS, NRLA or UKALA accreditation; or ARLA, RICS or Safeagent membership) — eligible applicants can receive a £100 discount on discretionary licences
5. Submit via the Metastreet portal with the Part A fee before your existing licence lapses

Once a complete application is duly made, Section 72(4) and Section 95(3) of the Housing Act 2004 protect you against prosecution while the application is pending. That protection only applies if every required document and the Part A fee have been submitted — an incomplete application does not count.

What Happens When the Scheme Expires in 2031

The selective and additional HMO schemes both run to 24 September 2031. At that point, Croydon Council can choose to designate new schemes, extend the existing ones through a fresh consultation and cabinet approval, or let them lapse.

If the council designates new schemes, you would need to apply under the new designation — existing licences from the 2026 schemes would not automatically carry over. If the schemes lapse, selective and additional HMO licensing requirements end (though mandatory HMO licensing for properties with five or more occupants continues regardless, as it is a permanent national requirement under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004).

Keep an eye on council consultations and cabinet agendas from 2030 onward. The council typically runs a 12-week public consultation before designating new schemes.

Licence Transfer on Sale

A property licence is personal to the licence holder and cannot be transferred. If you sell a licensed property, the new owner must submit a fresh application in their own name. The existing licence terminates on completion of the sale.

If the licence holder dies, a statutory temporary exemption applies automatically for three months, giving personal representatives time to arrange a new application.

For a full walkthrough of the Croydon licensing application process and what documents you need, see our Croydon landlord licensing guide.

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