Hammersmith and Fulham Licence Conditions: What Landlords Must Comply With

Getting a property licence in Hammersmith and Fulham isn't the end of the process — it's the start of a set of obligations that typically lasts five years. For licensing offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, LBHF can impose a civil penalty of up to £40,000, revoke the licence, or refuse to renew it; the previous maximum for earlier offences was £30,000.

Standard Conditions on Every Licence

Every LBHF property licence — mandatory HMO, additional HMO, or selective — comes with conditions that the licence holder must follow for the entire licence term.

Occupancy limits. The licence states the maximum number of occupants and the maximum number of households. Exceeding either is a separate offence under Section 72(2) of the Housing Act 2004, carrying penalties of up to £40,000.

Safety certificates. You must maintain a valid Gas Safety Certificate (renewed annually) and a satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (normally renewed within five years, or sooner if the report specifies). If either lapses during the licence term, you're in breach.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. At least one working smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, plus a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance. HMOs need interlinked alarm systems meeting BS 5839-6.

Fire safety. HMO landlords must hold a written fire risk assessment, reviewed annually, and maintain fire doors, emergency lighting, and escape routes in good repair.

HMO-Specific Conditions

Mandatory and additional HMO licences carry extra obligations under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006:

• Room sizes — sleeping rooms must meet LBHF's minimum floor areas (6.51 m² single, 10.22 m² double, when shared living space is provided)
• Kitchen standards — one full cooker (four rings, oven, grill) per five occupants, adequate food storage, hot and cold running water, impervious work surfaces
• Bathroom provision — one bathroom and one WC per five occupants, wash hand basins in shared rooms
• Waste management — the landlord must provide adequate internal and external refuse and recycling storage, positioned away from circulation areas
• Common areas — maintained in clean, sound repair; lighting, heating, and drainage kept in working order

Tenant Reference Checks

LBHF expects licensed landlords to obtain references for prospective tenants. This isn't a legal requirement under the Housing Act 2004 itself, but the council attaches it as a licence condition. Failing to conduct basic reference checks counts as a condition breach.

What Happens on Inspection?

LBHF Environmental Health Officers can inspect licensed properties during the licence term. For mandatory HMO applications, a pre-grant inspection is standard — the council aims to complete these within 12 weeks of a valid application. Additional and selective properties undergo risk-based post-grant inspections throughout the five-year term.

If an inspection reveals a Category 1 hazard — excess cold, structural problems, fire risks, severe damp and mould — the council can issue an improvement notice or emergency prohibition order on top of any licence condition enforcement.

Restricted Licences

If the property has minor defects or you have previous compliance issues, LBHF can issue a licence for one or two years instead of the standard five. A restricted licence means earlier renewal, closer scrutiny, and potentially higher long-term costs.

For the full list of conditions and the application process, see the Hammersmith and Fulham Landlord Licensing Guide.

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