Since 1 May 2026, most private landlords in Hackney have needed a selective licence.
For the first time, the majority of privately rented homes in Hackney fall under licensing rules. If your landlord doesn't comply, you may have strong protections, including the ability to apply for a rent repayment order. For the current register, reporting route and evidence rules, use our fact-checked Hackney HMO and landlord licensing resource.
What's changing for Hackney renters from 1 May 2026?
Hackney Council approved two new licensing schemes on 24 November 2025, following a 14-week public consultation. Since 1 May 2026:
- Selective licensing covers private rentals in 17 of Hackney's 21 wards
- Additional HMO licensing applies borough-wide to all houses in multiple occupation (3+ people from 2+ households)
With a large share of Hackney's homes privately rented, tens of thousands of landlords must apply for a licence or face penalties.
Which Hackney wards require selective licensing?
Landlords in these 17 wards need a selective licence:
- Brownswood
- Cazenove
- Clissold
- Dalston
- De Beauvoir
- Hackney Central
- Hackney Downs
- Hackney Wick
- Homerton
- King's Park
- Lea Bridge
- London Fields
- Shacklewell
- Springfield
- Stamford Hill West
- Stoke Newington
- Victoria
Only four wards are excluded from selective licensing:
- Haggerston
- Hoxton East and Shoreditch
- Hoxton West
- Woodberry Down
However, these four wards are still covered by the borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme.
What Hackney's selective licensing scheme means for renters
The schemes bring most of Hackney's private rentals under licensing. Now that they are in force, tenants gain two things.
Your landlord must prove your home is safe. Licensed properties must meet safety and management standards, including gas and electrical certificates, fire safety measures, room size limits and proper property management.
You could claim rent back. If your landlord commits a licensing offence on or after 1 May 2026, you can apply for a Rent Repayment Order to reclaim up to 24 months' rent.
The award is capped by how long your home has stayed unlicensed, and Hackney's scheme only began on 1 May 2026, so a claim brought now covers a few months rather than two full years. That ceiling grows the longer a landlord goes without a licence, so it is worth checking your landlord's status early.
If you're renting in Hackney, the scheme is now live, so check whether your landlord holds the required licence. If you're in an HMO of three or more people from two or more households, your landlord needs a licence too, and one has been mandatory at five or more people for some time.
Remedy can check whether your Hackney landlord holds the licence they now need, and tell you whether you could claim rent back.
