Selective Licensing Scheme 2026

From 1 September 2026, selective licensing will apply to all privately rented properties in the selected wards in Croydon. 

If you are a landlord, you must apply for a licence before renting out your property, unless it is already licensed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) under our Mandatory HMO Licensing Scheme or under our  Additional HMO Licensing Scheme.

If your property is already licensed under a mandatory or additional HMO licence, you do not need a selective licence for the same property. 

Further information on the date from which applications for selective licences can be made will be provided in July 2026. 

Properties that need a selective licence

You will need a selective licence if your property is:

• rented to a single household, for example a family
• let to a single tenant
• rented by two individuals sharing

Areas covered by the selective licensing scheme:

• Addiscombe East
• Addiscombe West
• Bensham Manor
• Broad Green
• Fairfield
• Norbury and Pollards Hill
• Norbury Park
• Selhurst
• South Croydon
• South Norwood
• Thornton Heath
• Waddon
• West Thornton
• Woodside

However, if your property in these wards is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), HMO licensing requirements still apply.

Check your ward

If you are not sure which ward your property is in, you can use the Croydon Observatory to check your property's location.

You can also view the selective licensing map (PDF, 340KB) or use find your ward.

Exempt properties

Some properties are exempt. 

This scheme  applies to any property which is let or occupied under a tenancy or licence within the wards described above unless: 

• the house is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) that falls within the nationally prescribed category of HMO that is required to be licensed as a ‘mandatory HMO’ under section 55(2)(a) Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004
• the house is a house in multiple occupation that falls within the prescribed category of HMO that is required to be licensed under the London Borough of Croydon Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses of Multiple Occupation made on 25 March 2026 under Section 56 of the Housing Act 2004
• the tenancy or licence of the house has been granted by a registered social landlord
• the house is subject to an Interim or Final Management Order under Part 4 of the Housing Act 2004
• the house is subject to a temporary exemption under section 86 of the Housing Act 2004 Act
• the house is occupied under a tenancy or licence which is exempt under the Housing Act 2004 or the occupation is of a building or part of a building so exempt as defined in Paragraph 5(f): Exempted tenancies or licences, of The Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 SI 370/2006

How long selective licences last

Licences are granted for up to 5 years, unless there are concerns about compliance or property management that require a shorter term.