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

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 report when complete will the Council with further and more up to date insight. It will be published in August 2025.

This modelling report will inform the Council of the problems that exist and assist in deciding what steps can be taken to improve substandard privately rented properties. 

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

Contact us

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