What is the proposed Croydon landlord licensing scheme?

Croydon Council is consulting on new landlord licensing schemes starting in 2026. These include a Selective Licensing scheme for rented properties in 14 selected wards and an Additional HMO Licensing scheme for smaller HMOs and certain converted flats across the whole borough. The schemes would require landlords to apply for a licence and pay a fee per property for up to five years.

Do I need a landlord licence in Croydon under the new proposals?

If the proposals go ahead, many landlords with properties in the 14 designated wards will need a Selective Licence for each rented property. In addition, landlords with smaller HMOs or certain converted flats across the whole borough may need an Additional HMO Licence. The scheme is still at consultation stage, so it is not yet in force, but landlords should check whether their properties fall within the affected areas.

How much will Croydon landlord licences cost?

The proposed fees are £800 per property for a Selective Licence and £1,250 per property for an Additional HMO Licence. Each licence would usually last for up to five years, subject to the council’s conditions and any changes that may be made after the consultation.

When will the new Croydon landlord licensing scheme start?

The proposed start date for the new Croydon landlord licensing schemes is June 2026, subject to the outcome of the public consultation and formal approval by the council.

When does the Croydon landlord licensing consultation close?

The public consultation on the proposed Croydon landlord licensing schemes is scheduled to close on 12 January 2026. Landlords are encouraged to submit their views and objections before this deadline.

How does the Croydon landlord licensing scheme relate to the Renters’ Rights Act?

The Renters’ Rights Act introduces a national landlord database, a national ombudsman and stronger enforcement powers and standards for rented properties across England. Many landlords believe that the proposed Croydon landlord licensing scheme duplicates requirements already covered by the Renters’ Rights Act, such as safety checks, management standards and documentation, while adding extra local fees and paperwork.

What can Croydon landlords do if they are concerned about the proposed licensing scheme?

Landlords can respond to the council’s consultation before 12 January 2026, outlining their concerns about the proposed fees, duplication of national rules and impact on the local rental market. They can also write to their Member of Parliament and seek advice from local agents or landlord organisations. Some landlords are using objection packs and template letters to help them respond clearly and in detail.

Croydon Landlord Licensing Consultation 2026 – Full Guide for Landlords

Brigitte
5 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Frustrated Landlord with all the new rules coming in

Croydon’s New Landlord Licensing Scheme – A Horror Story Landlords Need to Hear Before 12 January 2026

👉 Download your MP objection letter + info pack here

👉 Respond to the consultation here

👉 Text “CROYDON” to 07882953291 to get instant updates

Because if we don’t act, this scheme WILL be pushed through quietly.

Why I’m Personally Opposed (And Why You Should Be Too)

Let me tell you a story — one that started like a harmless council update and quickly turned into a full-blown landlord horror movie.

A Croydon Landlord Licensing scheme consultation quietly launched without telling the people who will pay for it. A consultation opened secretly on 21 October 2025, and most landlords had no idea. I never received an email, a letter, or a notification.

Then at the October landlord forum, the council casually said:

“We’ve given you extra time.”

Extra time for WHAT? Nobody was told it had begun.

That was the first jump scare. The second was the “10–15 minute questionnaire” that took three hours to complete properly.

The Horror Deepens — When I Realised What They Were Actually Doing

Landlord drowning in Paperwork with all the new laws

The Renters’ Rights Act came into force in October and already gives councils:

A national landlord register
A national ombudsman
Mandatory documentation
ASB responsibilities
Inspection powers
Strong enforcement
Financial penalties

All funded nationally by landlords joining the register.

So why is Croydon charging £800–£1,250 per property for the exact same requirements?

Chapter One — The Consultation That Lied to My Face

The Council claims:

“This survey takes 10–15 minutes.”

It took me three hours with legal research and careful wording. This is not consultation — it is obstruction dressed up as “engagement”.

Chapter Two — They Didn’t Even Tell Us

Most landlords who previously held licences were never contacted. No letters. No emails. No public announcement. This scheme is being slipped under the radar.

Chapter Three — A Licensing Scheme That Solves Nothing

The scheme will NOT fix for:

ASB
Drug hotspots
Commercial waste
Street behaviour
Fly tipping
Poor policing
Delayed council enforcement

But it WILL:

Double-charge compliant landlords
Duplicate national requirements
Reduce rental supply
Push investors out of Croydon
Push tenants onto the social housing list
Push skilled tenants from the area and employers due to lack of housing

The Renters’ Rights Act vs Croydon Licensing – A Nightmare in Duplicate

Comparison Table

Requirement	National Law	Croydon Licensing	Duplicate?
Landlord register	✔	✔	YES
Ombudsman	✔	—	—
Gas safety	✔	✔	YES
Electrical safety	✔	✔	YES
Smoke alarms	✔	✔	YES
Repairs	✔	✔	YES
ASB	✔	✔	YES
Tenant info	✔	✔	YES
Inspections	✔	✔	SAME
HMO planning		Already Article4	YES

What You Can Do (Right Now)

📅 Respond to the consultation before 12 January 2026

Download your objection pack

💬 Text “CROYDON” and you name to 07882953291

📊 Share this blog with every landlord you know

Wards Affected

Selective Licensing – Wards Included

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

Excluded Wards

Coulsdon Town • Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood • Kenley • New Addington North • New Addington South • Old Coulsdon • Park Hill & Whitgift • Purley & Woodcote • Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown • Sanderstead • Selsdon & Addington Village • Selsdon Vale & Forestdale • Shirley North • Shirley South