Find out about licensing schemes for privately rented homes.
There are 3 property licensing schemes currently in force in Waltham Forest, which means that most privately rented accommodation must be licensed in order to be legally let out.
The national mandatory HMO licensing scheme requires that HMOs occupied by 5 or more persons in 2 or more households must be licensed. Alongside the mandatory HMO licensing scheme, Waltham Forest has designated discretionary selective and additional HMO licensing schemes
The selective licensing scheme for properties occupied by a single family or two sharers came into force on 1 May 2025, covering 20 of the 22 wards in the borough (excluding Hatch Lane/Highams Park and Endlebury) and is due to expire on 30 April 2030.
The borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme for HMOs occupied by 2 to 3 persons in 2 or more households came into force on 1 April 2025 and is due to expire on 31 March 2030.
If you don't hold a valid licence you could face an unlimited fine.