Landlord licensing in Southwark has changed, and if you own a private rented property these licensing rules apply to you.
Since November 2023, the number of wards that required selective licences in Southwark have been expanded. If you are an existing landlord or are considering buying property in Southwark, you may require a selective licence.
Most landlords provide tenants with a safe, habitable home, but poor standards of housing are reported too often. Selective licensing is aimed at tackling specific issues in rental properties by holding landlords accountable, and offering other forms of support to people who rent privately.
Being a landlord in London can be confusing. There are over 170 Acts & Regulations to consider, so, how do you know if you are compliant?
But how does this affect you, and how can you ensure you that you’re operating within the rules? If you are a landlord in London Bridge, Bermondsey or the surrounding areas, read our guide to the Southwark selective licensing scheme for the essential facts.
A selective licence – and the selective landlord licence schemes – aim to tackle renters’ persistent problems with their accommodation, such as untended repairs, damp and mould, which the council wants to see eliminated.
Southwark’s selective licensing scheme is also designed to help private tenants with problems who struggle to contact or get a response from their landlords. It also challenges the problems associated with the cost of living for private renters, such as fuel poverty.
There are three types of landlord licences in Southwark – selective licensing, mandatory licensing scheme for HMOs, and additional licensing.
In October 2021, two licensing schemes were approved – a smaller selective licensing scheme covering 6,000 properties for five years, across 5 wards, as well as a mandatory HMO licence for large houses in multiple occupation across Southwark. These have been operational since 2022. There is also a borough-wide additional licensing scheme, which applies to rented properties like flats within a purpose-built block and smaller HMOs. You can read more about the Southwark HMO licence rules here in our article.
In November 2023, the selective landlord licence’s range was expanded, and now covers 19 wards in the borough. Ward boundaries can be confusing, so check if you’re unsure whether you require this type of licence.
If you rent out property in London Bridge or Bermondsey, you need to know about how to get a selective licence in Southwark, who it applies to and how much it costs.
Selective licensing was already in place for Champion Hill, Newington, Faraday, St Giles or Goose Green. From November 2023, 14 additional wards require a selective licence:
It applies to most private residential properties, whether you rent to a single family or to tenants who rent together but aren’t related. Though you don’t need one if you already operate under one of the alternative licensing schemes. Read on to find out more about the exemptions.
The selective landlord licences Southwark council issue last for 5 years. If your property falls foul of the standards, you will only be issued with a 1- or 3-year licence. Unfortunately, you can’t claim a refund if you stop renting out the property before it expires.
Want to be a more informed landlord? Licensing rules sit alongside wider reforms in the Renters’ Rights Act 2026 and ongoing duties like checking your tenant’s right to rent.
The selective Southwark landlord licences cost £900, paid in two instalments:
Discounts are available for Gold Standard Charter landlords, who can benefit from a 50% discount on the Part B charge. If you are part of Southwark Council’s Finders’ Fee Scheme as well, this fee will be waived, and you will only pay for Part A.
How to apply for a licence:
You can apply via the Southwark Council licensing application portal, by submitting details of the property, along with the name, address and date of birth of the prospective licence holder.
You will also need to provide details about the structure of the property and safety equipment. A card payment will be required for the application fees.
Documents required:
The following documents will be required:
There are some exemptions where properties do not require a selective licence, these include:
There are also some situations where temporary exemption applies. For example, if the owner is planning to live in the property and is going to legally evict the tenants.
To apply for a temporary exemption notice, an application can be submitted through the Southwark licensing portal.
If you’re letting an ex-council flat in a licensed area, make sure smoke alarms and other safety standards are fully up to date.
These are some of the questions we have been asked about selective property licensing in Southwark:
You need a selective licence if you rent out a residential property to one household or two unrelated tenants, unless you already have a licence under an alternative scheme.
In Southwark, landlords will have to pay £630 for Part A of the application, and £270 for Part B, which covers ongoing enforcement and administration.
If you rent out your property without a licence, the council can issue a civil penalty of £30,000, or prosecution. At worst, penalties could include an unlimited fine, court costs and a criminal record – creating a history that makes it hard to obtain a licence in future.
Yes, you need a licence for each property you rent out.
We hope that we’ve answered your questions in our Southwark selective licensing guide for landlords in the local area. However, if you have any questions or concerns about how licensing affects your rented property in areas including Surrey Quays and Waterloo, contact Garrett Whitelock. We’ll be happy to help.
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Lee Whitelock
Director
Being a landlord in London can be confusing. How do you make sure you are compliant?