The number of licensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in Wandsworth has nearly quadrupled in just three months, industry figures reveal, after the council introduced sweeping new licensing rules this summer.
Analysis by property platform COHO shows Wandsworth’s HMO register has risen by around 382% over the past year, the sharpest increase in the country. On pre-scheme estimates of about 600 licensed HMOs, that would put the borough’s current total at close to 3,000.
The surge follows the council’s borough-wide “additional licensing” scheme, launched on 1 July 2025, which extended licensing requirements to smaller shared homes with three or four occupants, as well as certain flats in multiple occupation. Selective licensing was also introduced in some parts of the private rented sector.
London comparisons
The scale of the jump is highly unusual. Across England, HMO numbers rose by just 2.3% in the past year. In London, the average increase was 5.4%.
Other boroughs still record larger HMO markets overall: Camden estimates around 6,200 HMOs, and Westminster reported just over 2,300 licensed HMOs before its latest renewal programme. But Wandsworth’s expansion means it has rapidly overtaken many peers and become one of the fastest-growing HMO areas in the capital.
Paperwork or protection?
Officials say the new rules are designed to raise standards, crack down on rogue landlords, and protect tenants from unsafe or poorly managed housing.
But critics warn the sudden influx of licensing applications could overwhelm the council’s housing department, which must process, inspect and enforce conditions on thousands of additional properties in a matter of months.
Licensing fees and inspection processes suggest significant work per case. Without extra capacity, the system risks becoming a backlog-ridden “paper exercise” that adds cost and delay to the system rather than offer a robust safeguard against hazards.
What Is Additional HMO Licensing?
Under national law, only larger HMOs – usually five or more people sharing – must be licensed. Councils can go further by introducing additional licensing to cover smaller shared homes (typically three or four people) and flats in multiple occupation.
Wandsworth brought in borough-wide additional licensing on 1 July 2025, meaning thousands more properties now need a licence, inspection and ongoing management checks. The goal is to improve safety and standards, but it can also create a surge in paperwork and enforcement work.
Department under scrutiny
The expansion comes against a backdrop of sustained criticism of Wandsworth’s housing services. Independent watchdogs have repeatedly found the department in breach of safety and management standards.
Investigations this year have exposed serious fire safety failings, long-running disrepair cases, and ignored complaints about damp, mould and leaks. Putney.news reporting has highlighted families left at risk, spiralling repair bills, and budget shortfalls in the borough’s housing strategy.
Despite this record, the same department is now responsible for overseeing thousands more HMOs under the new regime – raising questions over whether it can cope with the additional workload or deliver the promised improvements for tenants.
What’s next
Wandsworth Council publishes a public HMO register, but has not released headline figures on how many new licences have been issued since July, or how many are pending. Industry data provides the only snapshot of the scale of the change so far.
Campaigners say the council should be transparent about application volumes, backlogs and inspection rates to reassure tenants and landlords that the expanded system is not collapsing under its own weight.
This is happening totally randomly in London Boroughs. Each with its own rules and charges. There is a new “selective licence” in parts of Lambeth for rentals with under 3 people, either a family or two unrelated tenants. The charge there is £950 for a 5 year licence. Not complying carries a potential level 5 unlimited fine.