Council licensing in the East of England
Licensing across the East of England.
Compare council schemes across the East of England, then check a postcode to see what applies to your home.
We researched all 45 councils in the East of England from council sources on 14 October 2026. Councils in the rest of England
Landlords here must join the landlord register between 15 January 2027 and 14 April 2027. These dates are planned. About the register
Check an address
East of England licensing at a glance
- Selective licensing in some areas5
- Additional HMO licensing1
- New scheme approved or proposed1
- National rules only38
East of England councils14 Oct 2026ONS boundaries
Select a researched council to see its wards, schemes and exemptions. Boundaries from ONS.
If your council has designated an additional HMO licensing area or a selective licensing area covering your property, you must hold a licence for it. Schemes, areas, fees and conditions vary by council. Read the rule
Compare the councils
| Council | Selective licensing | Additional HMO licensing | Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babergh Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Basildon Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Bedford Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | Yes, whole council area | None open |
| Braintree Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Breckland Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Brentwood Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Broadland Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Broxbourne Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Cambridge Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Castle Point Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Central Bedfordshire Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Chelmsford Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Colchester Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Dacorum Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| East Cambridgeshire Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| East Hertfordshire Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| East Suffolk Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Epping Forest Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Fenland Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Great Yarmouth Checked 14 Oct 2026 | Part of the council area | No | None open |
| Harlow Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Hertsmere Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Huntingdonshire Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Ipswich Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| King's Lynn and West Norfolk Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Luton Checked 14 Oct 2026 | 1 ward | Yes, whole council area | None open |
| Maldon Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Mid Suffolk Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| North Hertfordshire Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| North Norfolk Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Norwich Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None Proposed, 4 wards | No Proposed, whole council area | None open |
| Peterborough Checked 14 Oct 2026 | Part of the council area | Yes, whole council area | None open |
| Rochford Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| South Cambridgeshire Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| South Norfolk Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Southend-on-Sea Checked 14 Oct 2026 | Part of the council area | No | Awaiting decision |
| St Albans Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Stevenage Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Tendring Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Three Rivers Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | Awaiting decision |
| Thurrock Checked 14 Oct 2026 | 16 wards | Yes, whole council area | None open |
| Uttlesford Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Watford Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| Welwyn Hatfield Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
| West Suffolk Checked 14 Oct 2026 | None | No | None open |
Columns show schemes in force now. Approved and proposed schemes appear underneath. An HMO occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households must be licensed by the council, anywhere in England. Read the rule