Private rented sector licensing

We're committed to ensuring residents have access to safe and good quality homes. Our aim is to make sure private rented accommodation is fit for purpose and meets acceptable standards. 

To build on the current mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing scheme, there are 2 additional schemes, including:

The schemes apply within specific wards in Medway where evidence suggests intervention is needed to raise standards.

Updates to our public notices, maps, and dates

Due to an error in our public notices, we have removed these documents.

We'll update this page with updated public notices, maps, and dates shortly.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

About the selective licensing scheme

The selective licensing scheme is when whole or parts of the area are subject to a designation under the Housing Act 2004. The designation makes it compulsory for all properties that are rented to single households or 2 unrelated sharers to hold a licence before it can legally be let to tenants.

The selective licensing scheme for all privately-rented homes (excluding HMOs) to address poor housing conditions applies within the following wards:

  • Chatham Central and Brompton
  • Fort Pitt
  • Gillingham North
  • Gillingham South
  • Luton
  • Strood North and Frindsbury
  • Watling.

About the additional HMO licensing scheme

An additional HMO licensing scheme is when the whole or parts of a borough are subject to a designation under the Housing Act 2004.

The designation makes it compulsory for HMOs within the designated area to be licensed before they are operated as HMOs where they are:
  • occupied by three or more people forming more than one household
  • sharing basic amenities (a kitchen, bathroom or toilet) and
  • not already subject to mandatory national HMO licensing (for example, large HMOs with 5 or more people).
We've introduced additional HMO licensing. This applies to small, shared houses that do not fall under the national mandatory HMO licensing scheme and will help to improve standards, ensuring safer and better managed HMO accommodation.
 
The additional HMO licensing scheme applies to the following wards:
  • Chatham Central and Brompton
  • Fort Pitt
  • Gillingham North
  • Gillingham South
  • Luton
  • Watling.

How to get advice

You can seek advice on whether your property is affected by the designations if you're a landlord, managing agent, in control of a privately rented property, or a tenant within Medway.

Consultation responses

We held a public consultation on the proposed licensing arrangements. After the consultation ended, all responses were reviewed and analysed.

View the report on our consultation for Additional HMO and Selective Licensing proposals.

View our response to feedback from the Additional HMO and Selective Licensing consultation.

Responses have been anonymised and published in accordance with data protection requirements. No personal information identifying individual respondents is included within the above published documents.