Like every London borough, Merton enforces the Housing Act 2004 mandatory HMO licensing regime, and may operate its own additional licensing scheme on top of national rules. Requirements, fees, and processing times vary by council — we keep track of the current position so you don't have to.
We prepare your complete application, submit it directly to the Merton council team, and handle all follow-up correspondence until your licence is granted.
Additional licensing: partial — 7 wards: Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields, Longthornton and Pollards Hill
Selective licensing: partial — 4 wards: Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton and Pollards Hill — see how selective licensing works
Scheme update: Both schemes have run since 24 September 2023. A council proposal to extend both schemes borough-wide was under consideration as of early 2026 — worth checking with us if your property is currently outside the designated wards.
Council fees are reviewed periodically and vary by property size — we'll confirm the current rate for your property before you commit.
For HMOs with 3–4 tenants in boroughs requiring additional licensing.
For properties with 5+ tenants from 2+ households anywhere in England.
You will need a mandatory HMO licence if your property is rented to 5 or more people from 2 or more households, regardless of borough. Merton operates an additional HMO licensing scheme covering 7 wards: Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields, Longthornton and Pollards Hill — we'll confirm whether your address falls within it.
Our service fee is £300+VAT for an Additional HMO Licence and £500+VAT for a Mandatory HMO Licence. On top of that, Merton's council charges its own fee separately: the mandatory HMO licence fee is £1,950–£2,464 depending on unit count (effective 1 April 2026); the additional HMO licence fee is £1,566–£1,674 depending on bedroom count; the selective licence fee is £747.60. Council fees are reviewed periodically, so we'll always confirm the current rate before you proceed.
Council processing times vary between 8-16 weeks depending on the borough. We submit your complete, fully-compliant application within days of receiving your information.
Operating an unlicensed HMO is a criminal offence anywhere in London. Under the Renters' Rights Act, councils can now impose civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence, and tenants can claim back up to 24 months' rent via a Rent Repayment Order.
Expert HMO licence applications across every London borough.
Contact us today. We respond within 48 hours and handle everything from there.
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