Brent’s New Additional Licensing Scheme: What Landlords Must Do by February 2026

What is Brent's Additional Licensing Scheme?

Brent Council will introduce an Additional Licensing Scheme starting 2 February 2026. This means private landlords renting certain types of properties—beyond Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) already covered by mandatory licensing—must apply for an additional licence to legally let their properties.

Additional licensing aims to improve property standards and tenant safety by extending regulatory oversight to a wider part of the private rental market. Brent’s move aligns with increased scrutiny across London boroughs to enhance quality and management in the PRS.

Why This Matters to Brent Landlords

Failure to hold a valid additional licence after 2 February 2026 risks significant penalties, including fines and enforcement action. Letting agents managing Brent properties also share responsibility for compliance.

This new licensing layer complements existing obligations under HMO licensing, planning permissions, and property management regulations. It demands careful planning and operational adjustments to avoid costly disruptions.

Who’s Affected?

• Single-unit landlords: If your property meets Brent’s criteria (typically houses or flats let to multiple tenants not forming a single household), you must apply.
• HMO landlords: Confirm whether properties fall under mandatory or additional licensing rules.
• Portfolio landlords: Conduct a comprehensive review to identify all units needing licences.
• Accidental landlords: Compliance is mandatory even if managing property incidentally.

Since Brent Council has yet to publish full details on covered property types, stay alert for updates and benchmark your properties against existing local licensed premises.

Practical Implications

• Finance: Licence fees apply per property. Budget early to avoid cash flow issues.
• Compliance: Submit applications well before the deadline; non-compliance can lead to fines up to £30,000.
• Operations: Update record-keeping and management processes to meet licensing conditions and ongoing monitoring.
• Tenant relations: Licensing requires demonstrating property safety and standards, which can enhance tenant satisfaction but involves inspections and documentation.

Concrete Next Steps for Landlords

1. Identify affected properties: Audit your Brent portfolio to determine which units fall under the scheme.
2. Engage professional advice: Consult letting agents or compliance specialists familiar with Brent’s licensing.
3. Prepare licence applications early: Licences take time to process and may require property improvements.
4. Review operational workflows: Update tenancy agreements, maintenance schedules, and inspection routines.
5. Schedule a compliance review: Plan a meeting with your management team or advisers in late 2025 to track progress.

How Rentals & Sales Can Support You

Our expert team offers tailored portfolio reviews and compliance audits for Brent landlords facing the Additional Licensing Scheme. We help you identify affected units, manage applications efficiently, and adjust pricing strategies to reflect compliance costs—all to mitigate risk ahead of the 2026 deadline.

Contact us to arrange a consultation and safeguard your investments with pragmatic, up-to-date advice.

Compliance Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Landlords should consult Brent Council’s official guidance and seek professional legal or compliance advice tailored to their circumstances.