HMO EPC London — Mandatory & Selective Licensing Ready

Yes — any property let under any form of tenancy needs an EPC under the EPB Regulations 2012, and that includes every HMO. Additionally, mandatory HMO licensing (5+ persons from 2+ households), additional HMO licensing (borough-extended) and selective licensing (borough-extended for all stock in a zone) all require the EPC to be submitted with the licence application.

Whole-HMO EPC where the property is let as a single tenancy with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities (the standard HMO case). Per-unit EPCs where the conversion has created self-contained flats — each with its own kitchen and bathroom — that are let on separate tenancies. The per-unit case is more expensive but each flat carries its own band rating, which can be useful where some units are post-refurb band C and others are pre-refurb band E.

Most London boroughs require: current EPC (this service), EICR (every 5 years), CP12 (annual), FRA (annual review), and gas/electrical safety declaration. Some boroughs (Newham, Hackney) additionally require emergency lighting certification, room dimension confirmation against HMO amenity standards, and Section 257 compliance for purpose-built flats above commercial units. We assemble all of this into a single licensing pack.

As of 2026: Newham (borough-wide), Waltham Forest (borough-wide), Croydon (multiple zones), Brent (zones), Enfield (zones), Hackney (multiple zones), Haringey (zones), Tower Hamlets (zones), Southwark (zones), Lambeth (zones), Lewisham (zones), Redbridge (zones), Barking & Dagenham (zones). Coverage changes — always check the current borough licensing portal before letting.

Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally where the property is occupied by 5 or more persons forming 2 or more households, sharing one or more of: kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities. There is no minimum number of storeys (the old 3-storey rule was removed in October 2018). Additional HMO licensing is borough-extended below the mandatory threshold and varies by council.

That is normal and expected with per-unit EPCs. Each demised flat is assessed independently and may rate differently based on its position in the building (top-floor flats often rate worse due to roof heat loss; ground-floor flats often rate worse due to suspended-floor heat loss). MEES applies independently to each unit — every let unit must currently be band E or above, rising to band C from 1 October 2030.

Both apply. MEES requires band E now and band C from 1 October 2030 on every let unit. HMO licensing requires the EPC to be submitted with the licence application. From 1 October 2030 a sub-band-C HMO will be both MEES non-compliant and likely to have its licence application refused or renewed conditionally. The exemption pathway (£10,000 cost cap, third-party consent, listed building) applies to MEES but does not reduce the HMO licensing requirement.

We hold every certificate (EPC 10y, EICR 5y, CP12 annual, FRA annual review) for every property in your portfolio in a single calendar. You receive a renewal email 60 days before each lapse with a one-click rebook link. For portfolios over 10 properties we issue a quarterly status report so you always know which certificates are due and which are at MEES risk.

Yes — this is the most efficient case. Our HMO compliance bundle covers EPC, HMO EICR, CP12, Fire Risk Assessment, emergency lighting and PAT in a single 4–6 hour visit, with all certificates issued same day or next working day. Bundle saving is 15–18% versus piecemeal contractors and the tenant disruption is one visit rather than five.

Section 257 HMOs are purpose-built flat conversions above commercial premises (the typical London high-street pattern). They have their own licensing rules and the EPC requirements run per demised unit. We commonly handle Section 257 stock alongside the commercial EPC for the ground-floor premises under a single mobilisation — see our commercial EPC London page.