Private rented property licensing

Property licensing

Private rented property licensing schemes have been introduced across parts of the borough, and apply to some privately rented homes.

The licensing schemes have been introduced to improve property conditions and management standards. The schemes also help to reduce deprivation and the antisocial behaviour (ASB) that is sometimes associated with the private rented sector in the borough.

Selective licensing

Enfield's selective licensing scheme started on 1 September 2026. Selective licensing applies to all privately rented residential properties occupied by 1 or 2 persons, or 1 family households, located in these 17 wards (areas) across the borough:

Designation 1:

• Bowes
• Brimsdown
• Bullsmoor
• Carterhatch
• Edmonton Green
• Enfield Lock
• Haselbury
• Jubilee
• Lower Edmonton
• Ponders End
• Southbury
• Upper Edmonton
• Whitewebbs

Designation 2:

• New Southgate
• Palmers Green
• Southgate
• Town

The designation makes it compulsory for all private rented properties in these wards to have a licence. Landlords will need to obtain a selective licence for each property they rent out, excluding those properties needing a licence under the mandatory or additional HMO licensing schemes.

For more information, see our selective licensing scheme page.

Already have a selective licence?

If you already have a selective licence, it will remain valid until the expiry date shown on it. If a licence is required for the new scheme designation, you should plan to renew your licence around 2 months before it expires to allow time for any checks that need to be done.

Apply for a selective licence

Mandatory HMO licensing

Mandatory houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing requires certain large HMOs to be licensed before they can be let out to tenants. From 1 October 2018, the mandatory HMO licensing scheme was extended to include properties with fewer than 3 storeys. You will need a mandatory HMO licence to rent out your property if it is occupied by 5 or more people forming more than one household who share some amenities, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Additional HMO licensing

The new borough-wide additional licensing scheme started on 1 September 2025.

This applies to properties occupied by 3 or more people from more than 1 household who share amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom. These types of shared homes are known as HMOs, and are not covered by the mandatory HMO licensing scheme.

For more information on mandatory and additional HMO licensing, see our houses in multiple occupation page.

Already have an HMO licence?

If you already have an HMO licence, it will remain valid until the expiry date shown on it. You should plan to renew it around 2 months before it expires to allow time for any checks that need to be done.

Apply for an HMO licence