Ealing Licensed Properties Register: How to Check a Property's Licence Status

Ealing Council maintains a public register of properties licensed under the Housing Act 2004. Whether you are a landlord checking your own status, a tenant verifying your home is properly licensed, or a buyer doing due diligence on a rental property, the register is the starting point.

Where to Find the Register

Ealing publishes its licensed properties register through downloadable static PDF exports on the council website, covering mandatory HMO, additional HMO and selective licensing. The PDFs can be difficult to search on mobile devices.

The register is separate from Ealing's online licensing portal (the MetaStreet system used to submit applications). You do not need a portal account to view the public register — it is freely accessible from the council's property licensing pages.

What the Register Shows

The register displays:

• Property address — the licensed premises
• Licence holder details and manager names
• Maximum occupancy limits
• Licence expiry date

The register shows granted licences. Properties with pending applications ("valid application pending determination") may not appear until the licence is formally issued. An online submission acknowledgement and Part A receipt do not by themselves establish that status. Temporary protection against prosecution under sections 72 or 95 of the Housing Act 2004 begins only after the council administratively validates the application.

Why Licence Status Matters

For landlords, checking the register is a useful status check, but its monthly updates may not reflect recent changes. Confirm any discrepancy with Ealing. Errors happen — a misspelt name, a wrong expiry date, or a property that dropped off after a system migration can all cause problems if the council's enforcement team cross-references the register during an area inspection.

For tenants, the register is a tool for checking whether your landlord holds the required licence. If a landlord has committed an offence of operating an unlicensed property, a tenant may apply for a rent repayment order under the Housing Act 2004. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, the maximum rent-repayment period is 24 months; for offences before that date, it is 12 months.

For prospective buyers, checking the register before completing a purchase shows whether the property is listed and the recorded licence expiry date. Licences are non-transferable — they are granted to a specific person or entity, not the property itself. When a licensed property changes hands, the existing licence terminates and the new owner must submit a fresh application in their own name on or before the legal completion date.

Limitations of the Register

The public register is updated monthly, so it is not a live feed. Properties that have recently been licensed, had their licences revoked, or changed ownership may not be accurately reflected until the next update.

It also does not tell you whether a property should be licensed but is not. A property absent from the register could be exempt, could have a pending application, or could be operating unlicensed. Absence alone is not proof of an offence, but it is a red flag worth investigating — especially in the 15 wards covered by Ealing's selective licensing designations.

The Ealing landlord licensing guide explains how licence transfers work when a property is sold, the rules around renewal timing, and the full enforcement consequences of operating without a licence.

See more England guides →