Leaseholders are not permitted to rent a part of their flat (i.e. letting out spare bedrooms /taking in lodgers, Airbnb, etc.).

 

If you rent your flat on a short-term basis for more than 90 nights in total during any calendar year, regardless of how many separate occasions during the year it has been let, or if you are not liable to pay council tax on the property you are letting out, you must apply to London Borough of Tower Hamlets for planning permission.  This is because after 90 nights, a material change of use from a residential dwelling (Class C3) to a short term let property is deemed to have occurred as short term let properties fall within the same planning use class as hotels, boarding and guest houses (Class C1).

 

Additionally, and from 1st April 2019, London Borough of Tower Hamlets introduced an ‘Additional’ licensing scheme under the provisions within Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 which covers the entire borough; the Tower Hamlets Additional Licensing Scheme includes all properties were there are 3 or more people living as 2 or more households and:-

 

• They share facilities such as a bathroom or kitchen and

• At least one of the tenants pays rent and

• The property is not in the Selective Licensing areas of Spitlafields and Banglatown, Weavers and Whitechapel.

 

To apply for a licence, you will need to complete the application form electronically which can be found HERE; you will also need available the following documents in order to be able to submit a valid application:-

 

• Gas Safety Certificate or Commissioning form.

• Electrical Safety Certificate or Commissioning Form; and

• Floor plans.

 

Further information about the Additional Licensing Scheme can be found HERE.