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 2021. Selective licensing applies to all privately rented residential properties occupied by 1 or 2 persons, or one family households, located in these 14 wards (areas) across the borough:
Designation 1:
- Bowes
- Edmonton Green
- Enfield Highway
- Enfield Lock
- Haselbury
- Jubilee
- Lower Edmonton
- Palmers Green
- Ponders End
- Southbury
- Southgate Green
- Turkey Street
- Upper Edmonton
Designation 2:
- Chase
New ward boundary changes
The selective licensing scheme is defined by the boundaries that were in place at the time the licensing designation was made on 18 May 2021. Properties that fall within the boundaries of the selective designation (areas mentioned above) will be licensable irrespective of the new ward boundary changes that come into force on 5 May 2022. Properties outside of the boundaries covered by the selective licensing designation will fall outside of the licensing regime.
Scroll down to the map at the bottom of this page. To find out if your property needs to be licensed under the selective licensing scheme:
- insert the property postcode or address in the search bar and click on the submit button
- click the drop down arrow on the search bar to find and select the relevant address from the list
- look for the house icon - it will appear on the map
- zoom in to the maximum possible using the + button top left corner of the map
- click on the house icon to reveal the licensing information
For enquiries, email prsh@enfield.gov.uk with the full property address and we will confirm if a selective licence is required.
You can view the public notice of designations of areas for selective licensing (PDF, 2334.55 KB).
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.
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
A borough wide additional licensing scheme started on 1 September 2020. This applies to properties occupied by 3 or more people forming more than one household who share some amenities, such as a kitchen or bathroom. These are properties that are not covered by the mandatory HMO licensing scheme.
For more information on mandatory or additional HMO licensing, see our houses in multiple occupation page.
Enfield Ward Boundary 2002
Enfield Ward Boundary 2022
Selective licensing
Designation of areas for selective licensing
Enfield's selective licensing scheme started on 1 September 2021. Selective licensing will apply to all privately rented residential properties occupied by 1 or 2 persons, or one family households, located in 14 wards (areas) across the borough.
The wards covered by the selective licensing scheme are:
Designation 1 (wards in the borough outlined in red on the map)
- Bowes
- Edmonton Green
- Enfield Highway
- Enfield Lock
- Haselbury
- Jubilee
- Lower Edmonton
- Palmers Green
- Ponders End
- Southbury
- Southgate Green
- Turkey Street
- Upper Edmonton
Designation 2 (ward in the borough outlined in blue on the map)
- Chase
The scheme requires landlords to obtain a licence for each property they rent out in these wards and comply with a range of conditions (PDF, 141.65 KB) to ensure good property management.
New ward boundary changes
The selective licensing scheme is defined by the boundaries that were in place at the time the licensing designation was made on 18 May 2021. Properties that fall within the boundaries of the selective designation (areas mentioned above) will be licensable irrespective of the new ward boundary changes that come into force on 5 May 2022. Properties outside of the boundaries covered by the selective licensing designation will fall outside of the licensing regime.
Scroll down to the map at the bottom of this page, and find the area where your property is located to see if your property needs to be licensed under the selective licensing scheme.
See information on property licensing.
View the public notice of designations of areas for selective licensing (PDF, 2334.55 KB).
Additional HMO licensing
Designation of an area for additional licensing
Enfield Council approved the additional licensing scheme in January 2020.
Additional licensing started across the borough on 1 September 2020. This is for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) that are privately rented and occupied by 3 or 4 people, forming more than one household, sharing amenities under one or more tenancies.
View the public notice for the designation (PDF, 496.66 KB).
Before applying for an additional HMO licence, see information on the licensing process.
Report a problem
You can report issues with a privately rented property confidentially to us, such as:
- unlicensed property
- overcrowding
- antisocial behaviour
- rogue landlord
- disrepair
This will help us improve the borough for everyone and hold landlords to account for poor management of private rented properties.
We will only contact you if you provide your contact details and confirm that you're happy for us to do so.
If you think a private rented property does not have a licence, you should check the online register before reporting.