Selective Licensing

Check the property licensing map to see if you require a licence for a home you rent out privately within Scheme 1 and Scheme 2 in Redbridge. All properties in these 2 locations must have a licence in place before they can be rented out.

It is an offence to rent out a property to tenants without a licence. If your property is not licensed you must submit an application now to avoid being penalised up to £30k or prosecuted.

Selective licensing applies to private rented properties located in specific areas across the borough to single households only. These areas are split as Scheme 1 and Scheme 2.

Check if your property requires a selective licence

Public notice Official Designation For Selective Licensing Scheme 2 (PDF 1MB)

Fees and charges

Scheme 1

The cost of a selective licence for one property is £500. The licence will be valid for 5 years.

Scheme 2

The cost of a selective licence for one property is £500*. The licence will be valid for 5 years.

*If you apply for a selective licence under scheme 2 before 1st January 2019 you will receive a 50% discount. The cost of the licence will be reduced to £250. 

Paper applications are available for selective Licences, however there is a £100 processing fee for this service. 

What is a household?

A household is either a single person or members of the same family who live together. A family includes people who are:

• married or living together - including people in same-sex relationships
• relatives or half-relatives, for example, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings
• step-parents and step-children
• a foster child living with a foster parent (s) is treated as living in the same household

Apply for a Selective Licence

Minimum standards 

Please ensure you read the Redbridge minimum property standards (PDF 425KB) before applying for a licence. 

Conditions

When you are granted your selective licence there are conditions that you will need to meet to keep the licences valid. The conditions will be attached to your licence when you complete your online application. We can ask to see evidence you meet these conditions at any time during the length of your licence period.

Selective Licence Conditions (PDF 719KB)

Renewals

You should enquire about renewing your licence if it is about to expire and you still wish to privately rent the property in the same way it was being rented before. We recommend you enquire 3 months before your current licence expires.

Similarly, you should also inform us if your property is no longer licensable.

Exemptions

Your rented property is exempt from licensing if the building is:

• used as a care home or hostel
• controlled or managed by a Local Authority
• not for profit registered provider of social housing
• a body which is registered as a social landlord under Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52)
• police and crime commissioner
• Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime
• fire and rescue authority
• National Health Service
  
  If a building is occupied by:
• freeholder or long leaseholder
• a resident landlord with up to two tenants
• religious communities
• students
  
  

  Contact Us

  Email: prslicensing@redbridge.gov.uk
  
  Property Licensing Team
  10th Floor rear
  Lynton House
  255-259 High Road,
  Ilford, IG1 1NY