HMO licence fee in Tower Hamlets — what a 5-bed HMO costs to licence
Fee last read from the council page on 2026-09-05 via landlordtaxlab.co.uk, re-confirmed present on 2026-10-12
New licence — baseline 5-bed / 5-letting HMO
£977
Renewal: £977 · Typical licence length: Up to 5 years (national maximum) · Fee basis: flat
How the Tower Hamlets fee is charged
Online new/renewal £977 (split Part A £453.50 + Part B £583.50); postal application £1,147.
The exact wording on the source
“Mandatory HMO Licensing fee. Application Fee: New and renewal online application fee £977. New and renewal online application split fee Part A £453.50, Part B £583.50. Postal application full payment £1,147.”
Tower Hamlets licensing at a glance
| Metric (LAHS 2024/25, MHCLG) | Count |
|---|---|
| Estimated HMOs in Tower Hamlets | 9,000 |
| Estimated mandatory-licensable HMOs | 924 |
| Mandatory licences issued (2024/25) | 765 |
| England-wide HMO count rank | #8 |
- Additional HMO licensing: yes — this council runs extra designated areas beyond the national mandatory scheme.
Do you need a licence at all?
A licence is required for a large HMO: rented to 5+ people forming more than 1 household, sharing toilet/bathroom/kitchen, at least 1 tenant paying rent. Licence valid max 5 years; separate licence per HMO. (GOV.UK, checked 2026-10-12)