Croydon Council has published details of new private rented property licensing schemes due to come into force on 1 September 2026, with selective licensing set to apply in both Norbury and Pollards Hill and Norbury Park.
The change is likely to matter to many local renters, landlords and letting agents because it will make a licence a legal requirement for qualifying privately rented homes in the listed wards.
What is changing?
According to Croydon Council, from 1 September 2026 two new schemes will come into force: a Selective Licensing Scheme for single-family properties and an additional HMO licensing scheme for smaller houses in multiple occupation.
For selective licensing, the council says landlords must apply for a licence before renting out a property, unless that property is already licensed as a mandatory or additional HMO.
Which Norbury areas are named?
The council’s published list of selective licensing wards includes:
- Norbury and Pollards Hill
- Norbury Park
Residents and landlords who are unsure which ward a property is in can use the Croydon Observatory ward checker linked from the council’s guidance.
Which types of property may need a selective licence?
Croydon Council says a selective licence will be needed for qualifying privately rented properties in the selected wards where the property is:
- rented to a single household, such as a family
- let to a single tenant
- rented by two individuals sharing
Different HMO licensing rules apply to houses in multiple occupation, so landlords should check the council’s guidance for the correct route before applying.
What are the published fees?
The council’s fees page says the standard selective licence fee is split into two parts: £480 on application and £320 after assessment if the council decides to grant the licence, making a total of £800. A one-year selective licence is listed at £544.
The council also lists possible discounts, including for properties with an EPC rating of B or above, accredited landlords and some multi-dwelling applications.
What conditions will landlords have to meet?
The council’s licence conditions include requirements covering gas safety certificates where applicable, electrical installation condition reports, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, property maintenance, waste information for tenants and reasonable steps to address anti-social behaviour linked to the property.
What happens next?
Croydon Council says further information on the date from which selective licence applications can be made will be provided in July 2026, with more information on how to apply expected during summer 2026.
For Norbury residents, the practical step now is to check whether a privately rented property sits in Norbury and Pollards Hill or Norbury Park, then follow the council’s updates before applications open.