Selective licensing

A selective licensing designation may be made if the area to which it relates satisfies one or more of the following conditions.

The area is one experiencing:

• low housing demand (or is likely to become such an area)
• a significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour
• poor property conditions
• high levels of migration
• high level of deprivation
• high levels of crime.

If more than 20 per cent of the total private rented properties, or 20 per cent of the geographical area is included in any proposal the decision is made by the Secretary of State.

Renewal of the Selective Licensing Scheme

Following on from the Future of the Selective Licensing Scheme consultation and online surveys, which took place towards the end of 2020, the council have decided to renew the Selective Licensing Scheme for another five years from the 1 October 2021.

Current private sector housing licences within the selective licensing areas of Weavers, Whitechapel, and Banglatown & Spitalfields areas will need to be renewed when they expire.

• See the Public Notice for more details about the scheme designation
• See The cabinet report 2021 and decision to renew the scheme (Item 6.3)
• See the cabinet report for the amendment of the Public Notice (item 6.6)
• See the amended Public Notice for more details about the designation

The Tower Hamlets Selective Scheme

Selective Licensing applies to all privately rented properties which are occupied by one household (subject to room sizes, age and sex of occupiers) or a maximum of 2 households comprised of 2 occupiers in Whitechapel, Spitalfields & Banglatown and Weavers areas of the borough.

You can view our map and enter your postcode. Properties shown in the green area require a selective licence. If your property appears outside the green area, it will not require a selective licence.

How to apply

Please read the guidance notes to ensure that you make your application successfully.

Current licence holders, please check your licence expiry date first and apply for a renewal 3-4 weeks before your current licence expires.

You need to submit a new application if the licence holder has changed.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – Licensing Fees from 1 April 2026

New licensing fees apply to all applications received on or after 1 April 2026, as approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on 7 January 2026 and 28 January 2026, and adopted by Full Council on 25 February 2026. The updated fee schedule is published in the tables below.

Please note: The Council’s online licensing portal is currently being updated to reflect the new fee amounts. During this transitional period, the portal may display or collect the previous fee. The fees published on this page are the correct fees payable.

If you submit an application through the portal and the fee collected is less than the published 2026/27 fee, the Council will contact you to arrange payment of the outstanding balance. Your application will not be processed until the correct Part A fee has been received in full. No licence will be granted until all fees, including Part B, have been paid.

We apologise for any inconvenience during this transition. If you have any questions, please contact the Housing Licensing team at housinglicensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Apply for a Selective Licence

Fees and refunds

Visit the license fees and charges page.

Fees can be paid online using a UK bank registered card. There is also the facility to make bulk payments for landlords with many properties.

Length of the licence term

The licence is valid for 5 years in Tower Hamlets assuming no significant changes to the property or the ownership in that time. If changes do occur within the licence period, the licence holder must inform the council. The council can issue a licence for a shorter term under some circumstances. 

Licensing Register

The Housing Act 2004 requires the council to hold a register of licensed properties in the borough.

View the Selective Licensing public register.