Croydon private rented property licence

The Housing Act 2004 has given councils the power to introduce the licensing of privately rented properties to improve conditions for tenants and the local community. This includes the licensing of family properties and smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMO) through a selective licensing or additional HMO licensing scheme.

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Future private rented property licensing

We are consulting on proposals to introduce two new private rented licensing schemes in Croydon. Find out more and have your say in the survey. closing date Monday 12 January 2026.

There is no current requirement for landlords to license private rented properties (other than mandatory houses in multiple occupation). 

Proposed licensing scheme – Croydon Private Rented Property Licence (CPRPL) 2026

On the 12 February 2025, the Statement of Intent - Selective Licensing paper was presented at Cabinet with regards to discretionary licensing in the Borough of Croydon. 

The Mayor introduced the paper and said that the Council would take steps to consider the introduction of a selective licensing scheme in the Borough. 

The report outlined the reasons why the Council intends to consider a selective licensing scheme in the private rented sector.

Review of options to improve the borough’s PRS

In September 2024, Croydon Council commissioned a company Opinion Research Services to produce a private sector housing stock modelling report.

This is a report that uses available data to provide indications on the size and scale of the borough’s private rented section. Whilst some more recent data was available following the 2021 census, this modelling report has provided the Council with a broader and a more up to date insight.  It was published in September 2025.

The report has informed the Council of the problems that exist with the extent and distribution of poor property condition in Croydon.  The modelling estimates that there are 53,519 privately rented properties in Croydon, which is 31.2% of all dwellings. This is much higher than the Census 2021 figure of 39,724.  In Croydon, it is estimated that 6,090 (11.4%) privately rented properties have a category 1 hazard, this is the most significant hazard.  It is also estimated that 4,430 (8.3%) privately rented properties have problem with dampness.

The Council is determined to make improvements to a sector that provides a home to approximately one third of Croydon households.
 

Contact us

 Email CPRPLconsultation@croydon.gov.uk if you have any questions.