Licence holders can be the landlord, manager or another person/body who has control of the property. They must:

• be over 18 years old
• pass the 'fit and proper person' test
• not live abroad
• not be in prison

If any of the above apply then another person/body will need to be appointed as the licence holder and manager (if identified).

Before you apply

You should also get the relevant information and documents ready.

Information you need to provide

The form will ask you for some details. It may help save time if you prepare these in advance:

• credit card or debit card details for payment
• registration number if you're a company or charity
• professional landlord organisation membership or registration number if you're a member
• the licence holders address will appear on a public register which we are legally required to provide - you may therefore wish to consider an alternative address e.g. a business or PO Box address (you cannot use the rented property address unless the licence holder is a resident)
• manager contact details if you appoint someone to manage the property - the address you give for the manager will appear on a public register we are legally required to provide, you may therefore wish to consider an alternative address (you cannot use the rented property address unless the manager is a resident)
• contact details of any mortgage company, joint freeholder and other interested parties in the property as we need to inform them of your application.

Documents you need to provide

The application form will prompt you for the documents you'll need to submit, but it may help save time if you prepare electronic versions (such as a scan or photograph) of these in advance:

• floor plans for the property (for HMO licence applications) - these either need to be to scale (and the scale shown e.g. 1:50) or the dimensions of the rooms annotated on the plans; they will need to show the use of each room, the layout, facilities and where the fire precautions (if any) are, e.g. location of fire detectors, emergency lighting, fire blankets, fire doors etc.
• latest gas safety certificate if the property has gas
• latest Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR - previously known as Periodic Electrical Inspection Report)
• Annual Buildings Insurance Certificate

The above documents have to be provided with the application. Failure to do so will mean that your application can’t be processed and will be rejected. The fee you paid will be retained if this happens.

• Automatic Fire Detection System Certificate
• Emergency Lighting Certificate
• Portable Electrical Appliance Test Certificate (if applicable)
• A copy of any relevant planning consent, Building Regulations approval or completion certificate (if applicable)
• Annual Buildings Insurance Certificate
• A copy of tenancy agreement or written terms of tenancy
• Charity registration certificate (if applicable)

Keep your certificates up to date

Most certificates have an expiry date and may need to be renewed, for example your annual landlords gas safety certificate and your annual fire alarm certificate. Please remember that it is your responsibility to keep your certification up to date and the Barking & Dagenham Council may require you to produce these documents as required by the conditions attached to your licence.

After you apply

Once we are in receipt of a full and complete application from you we will arrange an inspection to be carried out. Please note a full and complete application consists of an application form, initial payment and all required documentation. If an incomplete application is submitted we will let you know what is missing and give you one opportunity to provide what is required before we reject the application, however please note the payment made is not refundable.

Please contact us using email prpl@lbbd.gov.uk if you have not heard from us and have not received your decision in 12 weeks after submitting your application.

The Council will issue a proposed licence with the licence terms or the reasons we can't grant one. We'll consult with all bound and interested parties in the property. After the consultation, we'll then issue or refuse to issue the licence. You'll receive full details of this process in your confirmation email.

The licence conditions will cover the main regulations and standards you must meet. In some cases, they may also restrict occupiers from using some parts of the building or they may restrict the number of occupiers.

The Council will inspect every property where a licence application has been made to make sure they comply with all requirements and licensing conditions.