Letting a property in City of London: a landlord’s guide

General information as at October 2026, not legal advice. Always check the council’s current scheme before letting.

Landlord licensing in City of London

• Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
• Additional HMO licensing: No additional licensing scheme; only mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people from two or more households).
• Fees: Mandatory HMO licence: £600 on application, then a grant fee by number of lettings, from £450 (up to 5) to £1,050 (20 or more).

Separately, every large HMO (5 or more people forming 2 or more households) needs a mandatory HMO licence anywhere in England. Source: City of London Corporation.

City of London Corporation: private renting and licensing

Safety certificates

• Gas Safety (CP12): every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• EICR: at least every 5 years, by a qualified electrician.
• EPC: rated E or above, valid for 10 years.
• Alarms: a smoke alarm on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (not gas cookers).

Book a Gas Safety certificate, EICR or EPC in City of London at a fixed price, and keep track of expiry dates in the free landlord dashboard.

Deposits and the inventory

Protect the deposit in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits within 30 days. At the end, the scheme decides any dispute on the evidence, above all the check-in compared with the check-out, so the inventory is what protects you.

What to record in City of London homes

• Barbican flats: photograph the original fitted kitchens, Garchey waste units where they survive, underfloor or ceiling heating controls and the balcony planters.
• Listed estate flats in the Barbican and Golden Lane: photograph original fittings and finishes close up, as many cannot be changed without consent.
• Record every fob, key and car park or storage cage key, and note the estate office’s rules on moving in and lift booking.
• Flats in converted warehouses and offices: photograph exposed brick, large windows and any comfort cooling units.
• New apartment towers at Aldgate: photograph integrated appliances, ventilation units and balcony doors, and note concierge and parcel arrangements.
• Photograph meter readings, which are often in a communal cupboard or read remotely, and ask which heating costs are in the service charge.

Start your inventory free

Homes sold in the City of London in the last 12 months

Type	Sales	Average price
Flat or maisonette	92	£788,171
Other	26	£5,287,131
Terraced	1	£980,000
Detached	1	£3,675,000

HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.