Hounslow HMO Public Register: How to Check If a Property Is Licensed

Tenants wondering whether their shared house is properly licensed have a right to find out. Landlords who've submitted an application sometimes need proof that their property appears on the council's records. Hounslow Council maintains a public register of licensed HMOs under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004, and anyone can search it.

What the Hounslow HMO Public Register Contains

Section 232 requires every local authority to keep a register of current HMO licences granted under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004. Hounslow's register covers both mandatory HMO licences (five or more occupants from two or more households) and additional HMO licences under the borough-wide Scheme (4) 2025, which took effect on 11 December 2025.

Hounslow's list of licensed HMOs shows the permitted number of households, the permitted number of occupants, and the licence expiry date.

The list shows properties where the licence has been issued, so pending applications do not appear. If a landlord has submitted a duly made application, Section 72(4) protection applies while the council processes it, but that pending application is not a granted licence.

How to Search the Register

Hounslow Council's register is accessible through the council website. Navigate to the housing enforcement or HMO licensing section and look for the public register or "check an HMO licence" link. You can also use the Greater London Authority's London-wide property licence checker, which pulls data from individual borough registers.

Enter the property address or postcode to see whether a licence exists. If the search returns no result, that doesn't necessarily mean the property is unlicensed — the application could still be in progress, or the property might be exempt (a single household, or a resident landlord with two or fewer lodgers).

What to Do If a Property Isn't on the Register

If you're a tenant and your shared house doesn't appear on the register, you can report a suspected unlicensed HMO to Hounslow Council's housing enforcement team at [email protected]. Tenants in unlicensed HMOs can also apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order covering up to 24 months of rent under the expanded provisions of the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

If you're a landlord and your granted licence isn't showing, contact the housing enforcement team to check the register entry.

Why the Register Matters for Landlords

Beyond transparency, the register serves a practical compliance function. Prospective buyers use it during due diligence on investment properties. Mortgage lenders check it when a borrower discloses an HMO. And the council's own enforcement team uses the register to identify unlicensed properties by cross-referencing council tax records and tenancy deposit data.

If you're preparing to apply for a licence in Hounslow, our step-by-step licensing guide walks you through the full application process — from working out which scheme applies to submitting your documents on the portal.

Key Takeaways

• Hounslow's HMO public register is a statutory requirement under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004
• The register covers both mandatory and additional HMO licences across the borough
• Pending applications don't appear until a licence is formally granted
• Tenants can report suspected unlicensed HMOs to the council and apply for Rent Repayment Orders
• Landlords who need to get licensed can use the Hounslow landlord licensing guide to navigate the entire process

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