Hounslow Selective Licensing: Why There Is No Scheme

If you are searching for Hounslow's selective licensing scheme, the short answer is that it does not exist. Hounslow does not operate selective licensing under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004, and no wards in the borough are designated.

What Selective Licensing Is

Selective licensing under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 requires landlords of single-family private rentals (not just HMOs) to hold a licence. Councils designate specific areas — sometimes individual wards, sometimes the entire borough — based on criteria like low housing demand, antisocial behaviour or poor property conditions.

Many London boroughs have introduced selective licensing in recent years: Newham, Croydon, Waltham Forest, Hackney and Barking & Dagenham all run schemes. This is probably why landlords assume Hounslow has one too.

Why Hounslow Has No Selective Scheme

Hounslow Council has chosen to focus its discretionary licensing powers on additional HMO licensing rather than selective licensing. The borough runs a comprehensive, borough-wide additional scheme (Scheme 4, December 2025 to December 2030) for HMOs with three or four occupants from two or more households. Properties with five or more occupants fall under mandatory HMO licensing instead.

Single-family lets — a house or flat rented to one family or to two people forming one household — do not require any property licence in Hounslow.

What This Means for Single-Let Landlords

If you rent a property to a single tenant, a couple, or a family (one household), you do not need a property licence in Hounslow. You still have all the normal landlord obligations — gas safety certificates, EICRs, deposit protection, compliance with the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — but no council licensing fee or application.

Where confusion often arises is with properties let to two unrelated people. Hounslow's designation expressly exempts buildings occupied solely by two people forming two households; additional licensing starts at three occupants.

Could Hounslow Introduce Selective Licensing in Future?

It is possible. The 2024 General Approval (in force from 23 December 2024) removed the requirement for councils to seek Secretary of State approval for large-scale licensing schemes. This makes it easier for any council, including Hounslow, to introduce selective licensing without central government sign-off.

However, councils must still run a minimum 10-week public consultation, demonstrate that the area meets statutory criteria, and consult the Mayor of London. There is no indication that Hounslow is currently pursuing a selective designation.

What Licensing Does Apply in Hounslow

Two schemes are active:

• Mandatory HMO licensing: properties with 5+ occupants from 2+ households sharing amenities (national law, borough-wide, no expiry)
• Additional HMO licensing: properties with 3–4 occupants from 2+ households sharing amenities (Hounslow local scheme, borough-wide, runs to 10 December 2030)

If your property falls within either threshold, you need to apply through Hounslow Council's online portal. The Hounslow Landlord Licensing Guide covers both schemes, including the occupancy tests, document requirements and fee structure.

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