Croydon’s major private landlord licensing scheme postponed to late September: Fees and discounts confirmed

Croydon Council has postponed its new selective licensing scheme for private rented properties, including those in Norbury, from 1 September to 25 September 2026. Here is what landlords and tenants need to know about the new start date, fees, and discounts.

Landlords and letting agents managing privately rented homes in Norbury face a major administrative shift this autumn, following Croydon Council’s last-minute decision to postpone its extensive selective licensing schemes. The licensing requirements, which were scheduled to take effect on 1 September 2026, have been delayed to Friday, 25 September 2026.

Under the new rules, almost all privately rented single-family homes and flats in 14 designated wards across the borough—including both Norbury & Pollards Hill and Norbury Park—must be licensed. Failing to secure a licence once the scheme is active carries severe penalties, with potential council fines reaching up to £40,000.

The Eleventh-Hour Delay

Croydon Council announced the delay just as the schemes were on the verge of launching on 1 September. According to statements provided by council officers to industry bodies, the postponement was necessary to allow IT developers to finalise the online system and "make sure all the new online application forms and backend systems are fully integrated and tested."

The delay has drawn criticism from local landlord groups and property experts, who warn that keeping the registration system closed until the start date leaves property owners in an uncomfortable state of legal limbo. Landlords are currently unable to apply in advance, meaning there will be a surge of registrations starting on 25 September.

How Much Will a Licence Cost?

Croydon Council has published the final schedule of fees and discounts for the new 2026 selective licensing scheme, which will run for a five-year period ending on 31 August 2031.

The standard selective licensing fee is set at £800, split into two separate parts to comply with legal guidelines:

Part A (£480): Payable immediately on submission. This covers processing and administrative checks and is strictly non-refundable even if the licence is refused, withdrawn, or rejected.
Part B (£320): Payable once the council determines to grant the licence, covering ongoing administration and enforcement. The final licence will not be issued until this part is paid.

For properties let on short-term or temporary terms that only qualify for a one-year licence, the total fee is £544 (Part A £480, Part B £64).

Discounts for Local Landlords

To encourage higher property standards and professional accreditation, the council is offering several selective licensing discounts:

Accredited Landlords: Members of specified professional organizations—including the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS), or the UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA)—will receive a £100 discount off the Part B payment, reducing the total fee to £700. Similar discounts apply to members of RICS, ARLA, and Safeagent.
Energy Efficiency: Properties holding an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B or higher qualify for a £50 discount off the Part B payment, reducing the total fee to £750.
Multi-Dwelling Portfolios: Landlords registering multiple contiguous flats within the same block or building under common ownership can claim a £100 discount on the Part A fee for the second and subsequent properties, provided they are submitted together. The first property is charged at the full rate.

Crucially, Croydon Council warns that these discounts will not apply if the council has already had to send two reminders for missing documentation, or if a formal warning letter has been issued for failing to license the property in a timely manner.

What Norbury Residents and Landlords Should Do Next

With the countdown ticking toward 25 September, local landlords are advised to gather necessary documentation—such as current gas safety certificates, electrical installation condition reports (EICR), and tenancy agreements—so they are ready to upload them as soon as the portal opens. Norbury tenants living in private rented accommodation are also encouraged to check if their property requires a licence, which serves as an assurance that the home meets essential safety and environmental standards.