Redbridge Ilford Selective Licensing: Scheme 3 Ward Guide for Landlords

Ilford and Selective Licensing Scheme 3

Ilford Town and Valentines are the two wards covered by Redbridge's Selective Licensing Scheme 3, which came into force on 1 November 2023 for a five-year term. If you let a property in either ward to a single person, a couple, a single family, or two unrelated individuals, you need a selective licence, unless it forms part of a qualifying Section 257 converted block covered by an Additional HMO licence.

These were the first wards designated under the council's third round of selective licensing, ahead of the larger Scheme 4 that followed in April 2024 covering 15 additional wards. Ilford Town in particular has a high concentration of private rented properties, with landlord forum activity and media coverage — including a high-profile August 2024 enforcement case involving unlicensed flats above commercial premises — highlighting the area's enforcement activity.

Which Properties Need a Licence in Ilford

The licensing requirement depends on both the ward and the property's occupancy:

• Single household let (one person, a couple, or a family) in Ilford Town or Valentines ward → selective licence (£997.69)
• Two unrelated individuals sharing in Ilford Town or Valentines → selective licence (two single-person households, but still under the selective threshold)
• Three or four people from two or more households sharing amenities → additional HMO licence (borough-wide, from £1,865.34 for two households)
• Five or more people from two or more households → mandatory HMO licence (borough-wide; HMO fees are based on household count, starting at £1,865.34 for two households)

The IG1 postcode covers much of Ilford Town ward, but postcode boundaries do not align perfectly with ward boundaries. A property on a boundary street could fall just inside or outside the designation. Always verify using the council's interactive ward map rather than relying on the postcode alone.

HMO Licensing in Ilford

Landlords with shared properties in Ilford often ask whether they need a selective or HMO licence. The answer depends entirely on the household count. A three-bedroom terrace let to three unrelated professionals creates three separate households — that property needs an additional HMO licence, not a selective licence, even though it is in a Scheme 3 ward.

Both additional and mandatory HMO licensing apply borough-wide in Redbridge, including Ilford Town and Valentines. The selective licence only covers the gap — single-household and two-person lettings that would not otherwise fall under HMO rules.

Fees for Ilford Landlords (2026/27)

Selective licensing fees are the same across all designated wards:

• Part A (application): £371.05 — non-refundable except for duplicate applications or legally exempt properties; paid on submission
• Part B (standard): £626.64 — paid when the draft licence is approved
• Part B (with LLAS accreditation): £591.64 — a £35 discount for accredited landlords
• Total standard: £997.69 | Total accredited: £962.69

If your Ilford property qualifies as an HMO, the fee structure is different and scales with household count. See the full HMO fee breakdown.

Key Dates for Scheme 3

Scheme 3 commenced on 1 November 2023 and runs for five years. A landlord letting a licensable property without a valid licence or duly made application risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000. A Rent Repayment Order can recover up to 24 months' rent for qualifying offences committed on or after 1 May 2026.

The Redbridge Landlord Licensing Guide covers the application process for both selective and HMO licences in Ilford, with the documents, portal steps, and fee payment timing laid out in order.

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