HMO licensing in Tower Hamlets

Which licences a rented house needs in Tower Hamlets, and where. England. Checked 7 September 2026.

Tower Hamlets runs additional licensing and selective licensing on top of mandatory licensing.

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing

Extends HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) in a designated area.

StatusIn forceWherewhole boroughDesignated25 October 2023Ends31 March 2029

Mayor in Cabinet designated whole borough 2023-10-25; additional licensing in force 2024-04-01 to 2029-03-31 for HMOs with 3 or more tenants in 2 or more households

Selective licensing

Every privately rented home in a designated area needs a licence, HMO or not.

StatusIn forceWherenamed wards: Weavers, Whitechapel, Spitalfields and Banglatown (pre-2014 wards)Ends1 October 2026

Renewed selective scheme in force from 2021-10-01 for a 5-year term, page states end 1 October 2026; scheme expires within weeks of check date

Council HMO page · HMO Article 4 in Tower Hamlets

Check an exact postcode for Article 4

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.

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Sources: Tower Hamlets council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.