By Jeff Glass, Lead Compliance Consultant · HMO KIT · Last verified 16 September 2026
Southwark Selective Licensing 2026: What Landlords Need to Know
Whether you need a Southwark selective licence depends on the ward, who lives there, and how many households they form — not on the front door alone. Start by confirming the licensing regime before opening the application portal.
Southwark selective licensing: the quick version
As of September 2026, Southwark runs selective licensing in specified wards, alongside mandatory HMO licensing and a borough-wide additional HMO scheme.
| Question | Current position |
|---|---|
| Does selective licensing cover all Southwark? | No — specified wards only (19 wards across four designations) |
| What properties does it cover? | Privately rented homes in those wards that do not fall under mandatory or additional HMO licensing |
| Current selective licence fee | £945 (Part A £661.50 + Part B £283.50) |
| Did the selective fee rise in April 2026? | No — council schedule shows no change after 1 April 2026 |
| Gold Standard Charter discount | 50% off Part B; finders’ fee members: no Part B |
| Designation end batches | 2027 and 2028 (see ward table below) |
| Could tenants seek a Rent Repayment Order? | Yes — up to 24 months’ rent for offences on or after 1 May 2026 (up to 12 months for earlier offences) |
Source: Southwark Council licence fees.
What is selective licensing in Southwark?
Selective licensing is a licensing system for privately rented properties that are not already licensed as HMOs. Southwark applies it in designated wards to other privately rented homes that are not covered by mandatory or additional licensing.
A two-bedroom flat occupied by a family in Peckham can need a selective licence. Change the occupants to three unrelated sharers and you may instead be dealing with additional HMO licensing. Same front door; different paperwork. See also our mandatory vs additional vs selective guide.
Which Southwark wards are covered?
There are four selective licensing designations. They do not all expire in the same year — Designations 1 and 2 fall in the 2027 batch; Designations 3 and 4 in the 2028 batch.
| Designation | Wards | Scheme end batch |
|---|---|---|
| Designation 1 | Champion Hill, Newington | 2027 batch |
| Designation 2 | Faraday, Goose Green, St Giles | 2027 batch |
| Designation 3 | North Walworth, Nunhead & Queens Road, Old Kent Road, Peckham | 2028 batch |
| Designation 4 | Camberwell Green, Chaucer, Dulwich Hill, Dulwich Wood, London Bridge & West Bermondsey, Peckham Rye, Rotherhithe, Rye Lane, South Bermondsey, Surrey Docks | 2028 batch |
Map: selective licensing wards in Southwark
Blue wards are inside a live selective designation. Other wards still need mandatory (and usually additional) HMO licensing where the occupancy qualifies — selective does not apply there.
Confirm live scheme cards, full map tools and contacts on the Southwark borough hub. Hosted designation notices: Designations 1–2 · Designations 3–4.
Not sure which ward applies? Run the free licence checker for Southwark.
Selective licence or HMO licence? Get this right first
Sitting inside a selective ward does not automatically mean you need a selective licence. Occupation type takes priority.
| Property setup | Likely licensing route |
|---|---|
| One family / single household in a selective ward | Selective licensing |
| Two unrelated occupiers in a selective ward | Potentially selective licensing |
| 3 or 4 people forming 2+ households and sharing facilities | Usually Southwark additional HMO licensing |
| 5+ people forming 2+ households sharing kitchen/bathroom/WC | Mandatory HMO licensing |
| Converted buildings / Section 257 HMOs | Special rules — check carefully |
Southwark’s additional scheme covers HMOs below the mandatory threshold, including smaller shared HMOs. If you are unsure, check the property and occupancy first — it is easier than unwinding the wrong application later.
How much is a Southwark selective licence in 2026?
The selective licence fee is £945 per property, collected in two stages. Unlike Southwark’s mandatory and additional HMO fees, the selective charge did not increase on 1 April 2026.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Part A — paid with the application | £661.50 |
| Part B — paid when approved | £283.50 |
| Total | £945 |
| With Gold Standard (50% off Part B) | £661.50 + £141.75 = £803.25 |
| Gold Standard + finders’ fee scheme | Part A only (£661.50) — no Part B |
Southwark licence fees at a glance
Totals from the verified registry (post–1 April 2026 where fees rose). Always confirm on the council fees page before paying.
| Scheme | Typical total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Selective | £945 | Unchanged after 1 April 2026 |
| Additional HMO | £1,433 | Borough-wide for smaller HMOs |
| Mandatory HMO | £1,653 | 5+ sharers / national scheme; extra per letting above 5 |
Gold Standard Charter: members receive 50% off Part B. Members who also join the council finders’ fee scheme are not charged Part B. See the Gold Standard Charter. Charter criteria include an EPC rating of D or above (with plans to improve toward B or C where reasonably possible) — that is a charter condition, not the general MEES minimum of E.
Compare London-wide fees on HMO licence cost London or the Southwark borough fee cards.
Useful Southwark links
Quick routes to standards, official fees and the tools that sit alongside this guide.
- Southwark borough licensing hub — schemes, map, contacts
- Southwark HMO standards — room sizes and amenity rules
- Licence checker (Southwark) — indicative selective / HMO route
- Room size checker
- Southwark Council licensing hub
- Official licence fees (incl. Gold Standard discounts)
- Gold Standard Charter · charter standards (EPC D+)
- Selective designation notice 1–2 · designation notice 3–4
- Documents checklist · Article 4 vs licensing · EICR & gas
What documents do you need?
Southwark’s online application expects property detail and supporting evidence — not just a name and card number. Full checklist: licence documents checklist.
| Document / information | What to watch |
|---|---|
| Floor plan | Each floor, including room sizes in m² |
| Electrical safety / EICR | Current report; remedial work completed — see EICR & gas guide |
| Gas Safety Record | Required where gas appliances or flues are supplied |
| Fire risk assessment | Specifically requested for HMO applications |
| Fire alarm certificate | Where applicable |
| Tenancy agreements | Keep current paperwork ready |
| Article 4 evidence | Where applicable — Article 4 vs licensing |
| EPC | Valid EPC; check MEES / charter requirements |
What happens after you apply?
Southwark may inspect to verify the application, then issue a draft licence or a proposal to refuse. Interested parties normally have 14 days to make representations. After a final licence is granted, Southwark may visit again to check licence conditions.
Licences usually last five years; properties linked to poor management may receive a shorter term. HMO KIT can help prepare and manage the application before it reaches the council — see selective licensing and licence applications.
Don’t confuse licensing with planning permission
A property licence does not grant HMO planning permission. Southwark states planning permission is required where an HMO is occupied by seven or more people, and may also be required for smaller HMOs in an Article 4 area. Read Article 4 HMO London and confirm on Southwark HMO standards.
What happens if you don’t obtain a Southwark licence?
Landlords and managing agents can be prosecuted or fined where a property requires a licence and does not have one. Civil penalties can reach £40,000 per offence.
Tenants (or the local authority) may seek a Rent Repayment Order for up to 24 months’ rent where the offence was committed on or after 1 May 2026. Offences before that date remain under the older rules (up to 12 months’ rent). Official overview: Southwark private rented property licensing.
Licensing dates to watch in 2027–2028
Selective Designations 1 and 2 and the current borough-wide additional HMO designation are in the 2027 end batch. Designations 3 and 4 continue into the 2028 batch. HMO KIT will update this guide when Southwark publishes confirmed replacement, renewal or consultation details — watch the borough hub and council licensing pages.
Southwark Selective Licensing FAQs
Is selective licensing borough-wide in Southwark?
No. Selective licensing applies only within Southwark’s designated wards across four designations. Additional HMO licensing under the current scheme is borough-wide for HMOs that fall within its scope.
How much is a selective licence in Southwark?
The current fee is £945, split into a £661.50 Part A fee paid with the application and a £283.50 Part B fee paid when the application is approved. The selective fee did not change after 1 April 2026.
Does a family home need a selective licence?
Potentially yes. If it is privately rented, falls within one of the selective licensing wards, and is not covered by an exemption or another licensing regime, a single-family property can require a selective licence.
Does an HMO need a selective licence?
Usually a licensable HMO falls under mandatory or additional HMO licensing instead. Check the occupancy arrangement before choosing which application to make.
What Gold Standard discount applies in Southwark?
Gold Standard Charter members receive 50% off the Part B fee. Members who also join the council finders’ fee scheme are not charged Part B.
Can HMO KIT help with Southwark licensing?
Yes. HMO KIT can help with property management and the licence application — checking which licence applies, preparing supporting documents, coordinating compliance items such as EICRs, EPCs and fire risk assessments where required, and submitting the application.
Final thoughts
Start with occupancy, check the ward, establish whether you need selective, additional or mandatory licensing, then check certificates before opening the portal. That sequence avoids most preventable headaches — especially as several designations approach their 2027 and 2028 end batches.
Need help? HMO KIT can check the licensing position, prepare the application and arrange supporting compliance documentation where needed. This guide is general information, not legal advice — confirm current Southwark Council requirements before acting.
Check your Southwark property first
Book a free consult, or run the free licence checker with Southwark selected.