Guidance notes for an application for a property licence

Published: 30 May 2025
Last updated: 25 September 2026
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How to apply

Applications are completed through the council's licensing portal. Use the link on the appropriate web page for the type of licence you are applying for. The questions generated for applicants to answer will differ from property to property, this is guided by the information entered for each question.

You can start and return to an application at any time.

If you do not have access to a computer, you can use any of Croydon’s libraries for this purpose. Additionally, there are a number of agencies and management companies specialising in property licensing services that can complete the application on your behalf.

Before you apply, we recommend you have the required documents ready as this will make the application easier to complete.

Landlord user account

To apply, you first need to set up a landlord user account. You create this using the online property licensing portal. Once logged in, you will be able to access a licensing guide. You then need to enter your property details. Your application will be automatically saved as you go along, so you can review, update and add any documents required. You can log back in at any time to track the status of your application.

You will need to fully complete each section of the application form and pay the Part A fee online before you submit your application.

It is an offence to enter fraudulent property information and doing so can result in prosecution and an unlimited fine. 

Applying for a licence on behalf of the landlord

Anyone can be the applicant. However, the responsibility for making a licence application lies with the person in control of or managing the property. This includes the legal owner, manager, or agent who receives the rent for the property. 

If an agent manages a property in the knowledge that no application to licence has been submitted, they must consider making an application to licence the property or stop managing the property to be legally compliant. We would expect that the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the property and tenancy to be able to complete the full application and make the declaration as to the truthfulness of the information.

The licence holder

The proposed licence holder needs to be a “fit and proper person” (s66 Housing Act 2004) and be the most appropriate person, namely the landlord, person in receipt of rent or in control of the property. 

A ‘fit and proper’ person is defined as someone who has no relevant convictions or committed offences relating to:

  • violence
  • sexual offences
  • drugs and fraud
  • housing
  • landlord and tenant law 
  • unlawful discrimination

We may also consider the track record of management of any other rented accommodation owned or managed by the licence applicant or manager.

The licence can be granted to a limited company. In such a case we will need the full company name and address of a UK registered office and a listed company director. We will expect the licence holder to have the power to let and terminate the tenancies. In addition, to access all parts of the premises to the same extent as the owner.

If the licence holder changes, for example, through death, divorce or sale of the house, a new application will need to be made and fee paid. A licence is not transferrable.

Defining a household

'Households' for the purposes of the Housing Act 2004 includes members of the same family living together who are: 

  • couples married to each other or living together, or in civil partnership
  • relatives living together, including parents, grandparents, children (and stepchildren), grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces or cousins 
  • half-relatives who are treated as full relatives
  • a foster child living with their foster parent

An unrelated single occupant or sharer will be classed as one household.

Calculating the room sizes

It is important to enter all room sizes in metres squared, based on the internal wall measurements. 

Please ensure you include in the room size calculation:

  • the floor space occupied by any exclusive kitchen facilities within the room
  • the floor space of any bathroom facilities located within or accessible only from within that letting.

Calculating the number of rooms and occupants

Please enter into your online application the full details of:

  • every habitable room on every floor of the property
  • number of all occupants (including all adults, children and babies)

Preparing a floor plan

We need a floor plan of your property showing all floor levels, rooms, windows, doors, stairs, room uses and room sizes in metres squared. The floor plan should be uploaded as part of the application. For guidance on how to prepare this please see our floor plan guidance.

If you employ someone else to manage your property

The landlord can hold the licence or nominate someone else such as a manager or agent (with their agreement) to be the licence holder. The applicant should be the ‘most appropriate person’ to hold the licence, which will usually be the person who receives the rent. Licences, when issued, are not transferable to another person.

Where a manager is nominated as the licence holder, you must ensure that a suitable agreement is drawn up. This must clearly state the responsibilities of both parties and ensure that the licence holder agrees to be bound by the conditions and obligations imposed by the licence. We would need to see a copy of this agreement.

If you have more than one property in Croydon

If you have a number of licensable properties within the borough, you will need to make an application for a licence for each property.

If you manage more than 50 properties in Croydon, email portfolio@oysterpartnership.com. An officer will contact you to support you with the application process.

Letting your property before receiving the licence

As long as you have submitted a valid application you can legally let the property.

It is an offence for a person having control of or managing a property which is required to be licensed under Part 2 and 3 of the Housing Act not to have applied for a licence.

If you live outside the United Kingdom

An application for a property licence from a non-UK resident will only be considered valid if there is a managing agent based in the UK who agrees to be bound by the conditions and obligations imposed by the licence.

Obtaining planning permission to get a licence, if your property is now an HMO

The issuing of an HMO licence does not confirm that any necessary planning permissions have been granted. 

You should be aware that our Planning Enforcement team is consulted as part of the licensing process and that there is an Article 4 Direction in place in Croydon in relation to smaller HMOs. For more information, please see Article 4 Direction.

If you are in any doubt about the need for planning permission, you should contact the planning department for advice.

After you make an application

We will review all information provided and may ask you for further details. This will be by email through the online system. We will then:

  • inspect your property before issuing a licence (HMOs only)
  • prepare and send out to you a draft copy of the licence (notice of intention)
  • invite representations on the proposed licence and those of any other parties who have an interest in the property. Any representations must be received before the date stated on the covering letter sent with the draft licence
  • consider all representations made
  • collect the Part B fee prior to issuing a licence

To make a comment or a representation about a property licence application, select ‘Respond to a request’ on the online portal and use the licence reference and PIN provided on the covering letter sent with your draft copy of the licence.

Finding your licence number

Your licence number from the new online system will be a 12-digit reference number that either starts with ‘CRO’ or 'LBC'.

You can find it:

  • via the online licensing portal. You will need to log into the system and select ‘Manage an existing application’
  • on the covering letter sent with your draft or final licence
  • on the actual draft or final licence itself

When entering the reference online, you will need to enter the whole reference, ensuring you include the hyphens and make sure that there are no gaps.

Selling a property that holds a licence or if the licence holder changes

You cannot transfer a licence. If you sell your property, the new owner will need to make a new application for a property licence and pay the relevant fee if they want to continue to rent it out.

If a property with a licence is sold or does not require a licence anymore, you can apply to revoke the licence online. You will be sent a Revocation Notice. Licence fees are not refundable.

Do I need a licence if I am planning to sell my property or if my tenant is leaving?

The law allows for temporary exemption from licensing under specific circumstances. 

The Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN) may apply if the property is in the process of being sold, the tenant is leaving or has given tenant’s notice to quit, or the property will no longer be rented out. Typically, evidence would be needed to indicate that these events would be completed within the next 3 months. 

In exceptional circumstances a second TEN may be granted up to a maximum of 6 months from the date of the first TEN, following which there is no power to further exempt the premises and the property must be licensed. You can apply for a TEN online via your account.

If your HMO property is unsuitable for the current number of tenants

If the property is unsuitable for the number of tenants currently accommodated, you will be issued a licence stating the number for which it is suitable. 

If the licence is issued for a lower number than are currently accommodated, you may keep the existing tenants until the expiry of the current tenancy and must not re-let that room or rooms. 

No new occupiers should be admitted until occupiers match the number permitted on the licence.

Definition of ‘reasonably suitable for occupation' for HMOs

For an HMO to be reasonably suitable for occupation for a certain number of people, it must adhere to standards requiring an adequate:

  • number, type and quality of bathrooms, toilets, washbasins and showers
  • number, type and quality of food storage, preparation and cooking facilities
  • fire precautions

If you have been advised that you cannot let your property or operate an HMO

If your freeholder, mortgage company or management company advises you cannot let your property or operate an HMO, if the property is already occupied, you must apply for a licence and resolve any contractual dispute later. 

Legally you cannot evict tenants if you do not hold a licence. The tenants may also be able to obtain a Rent Repayment Order for the time the property was unlicensed. 

You may want to seek legal advice in relation to any restrictions on your lease, and whether these are enforceable. You may also want to check that your mortgage permits letting the property.

If you have applied but cannot see your property on the public register 

This will be because it is in the processing stage. Licences are not declared in the register until they have been formally issued.

Failure to apply for a licence 

Landlords will be given reasonable time to license their properties, typically until 31 December 2026. However, after that date we will enforce against those landlords who do not apply for a licence. We are already actively investigating breaches and offences under other legislation, including the Renters' Rights Act, in line with our Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy (2026).

We can take several enforcement actions against you for not licensing your property, including: 

  • issuing a financial (civil) penalty notice of up to £40,000
  • prosecuting you where the Courts can issue an unlimited fine
  • take over the management of the property, where there is no realistic prospect of licensing