If your rental property sits in a designated selective licensing area, you’ll need a selective licensing floor plan as part of your application to the local council. Selective licensing is a scheme that lets local authorities require a licence for privately rented homes in a specific area, aimed at tackling problems like poor property conditions, antisocial behaviour, and inconsistent property management.
We’ve produced selective licensing floor plans for landlords across London, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire since 2021, helping many of them secure their licences without delay.
Selective licensing gives local councils the power to require a licence for every privately rented property in a designated area, regardless of the number of tenants. Introduced under Part 3, Section 80 of the Housing Act 2004, councils use it to address specific local issues — commonly low housing demand, high levels of deprivation, poor property conditions, or persistent antisocial behaviour.
To grant a licence, the council will assess whether the landlord is a “fit and proper person” to manage a rental property, and will typically set conditions covering property standards, management practices, and safety requirements. A designation usually lasts up to five years, and where a scheme covers more than 20% of a borough’s private rented stock, the council needs confirmation from the Secretary of State before it can proceed.
Selective licensing schemes vary significantly by area, and coverage changes fairly often as designations expire and new ones are consulted on. As of 2026, several London boroughs run borough-wide or near-borough-wide schemes — Newham has operated the longest-running scheme in England, borough-wide since 2013, and Waltham Forest, Croydon, and Lambeth also run active schemes covering some or all of their areas, alongside smaller designations in boroughs including Brent, Enfield, Haringey, Hackney, Lewisham, Southwark, Camden, and Islington.
Outside London, district councils across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire can introduce their own selective licensing designations under the same legislation, so it’s always worth checking directly with your local council before assuming your property is, or isn’t, covered. Scheme boundaries are usually published on the council’s own licensing pages or through the London Property Licensing register for London addresses.
Floor plan requirements can vary between councils, so it’s always worth confirming the specifics with your local authority before submitting anything. That said, most selective licensing floor plans need to show:
Most councils now run their licensing applications through an online portal. Before you start, it helps to have the following ready:
You’ll also usually need to submit supporting documents, including a gas safety certificate (where applicable), an electrical installation condition report, and an energy performance certificate.
Most councils aim to process applications within 90 days, though this can vary, particularly during the first year a scheme runs. Licences can be shortened where a landlord shows serious or repeated non-compliance.
Overall, pricing depends on the size of the property, its location, and how complex the layout is. Currently, our standard selective licensing floor plans start from £175, no VAT.
So get in touch on 07500300909 or email info@theleasefloorplan.co.uk and we’ll be glad to help.
We also offer HMO Floor Plans, EPC Certificates, Property Inventories, Asbestos Surveys, and Fire Risk Assessments.
