Medway Council has approved its selective and additional HMO licensing scheme. The decision was made at the council’s committee meeting on 22 September 2026, and the scheme will come into force on 4 January 2027.
We previously reported that the scheme had been delayed. It is now confirmed, so landlords with properties in the affected wards need to start preparing. This guide covers which areas are included, what a licence costs, your obligations once licensed, and where the industry stands on the scheme.
Applications are not yet open. We’ll update this page as soon as they are.
Why Home-Share Has Concerns About the Scheme
As a Medway letting agent, we share the concerns many landlords have raised. Propertymark, the professional body for the property sector, argues that the new national Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database should do the job local licensing schemes are designed to do. It has called on the government to commit to scrapping local schemes once the database is up and running. We support that position.
Propertymark has also pointed out two practical problems with licensing schemes like Medway’s:
- Inspections are rare because there are too few enforcement officers for the number of private rented homes.
- Between 35% and 50% of licence fees go on data entry and document checks, because the processes behind them are inefficient.
Whatever our view, the scheme is going ahead, and compliance is a legal requirement. The rest of this guide explains what landlords need to do.
Which Areas Does Medway Selective Licensing Cover?
Selective licensing applies to single-let rental properties in the following Medway wards:
- Chatham Central and Brompton
- Fort Pitt
- Gillingham North
- Gillingham South
- Luton
- Strood North and Frindsbury
- Watling.
Which Areas Does Medway Additional HMO Licensing Cover?
Additional licensing applies to all houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in these wards:
Strood North and Frindsbury is covered for single lets only, so HMOs in that ward fall outside the additional licensing scheme.
How Do I Check Which Ward My Rental Property Is In?
If you’re unsure which ward your property falls in, use the postcode search tool on the Medway Council website.
How Much Does a Medway Landlord Licence Cost?
Licence fees are paid in two parts: one on application and one once the licence is granted. [Insert fee table]
A multi-property discount is available only where all of the following apply:
- The properties are under common ownership and management control
- They are next to each other in the same block or building
- All applications are submitted at the same time
Who Counts as an Accredited Landlord?
Accredited landlords qualify for a discounted fee. Based on the scheme documentation, this includes landlords who are accredited through:
- Kent Landlord Accreditation Scheme (KLAS): no annual fee; a one-off training course gives accreditation for five years
- National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA): £125 per year
- UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA)
It also includes members of:
- Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Safeagent
For most Medway landlords, KLAS is the most cost-effective way to qualify for the discount.
How Often Must Licensed Landlords Inspect Their Property?
The licence conditions set minimum inspection frequencies:
- Selective licence holders: at least every six months
- Additional HMO licence holders: at least every three months, including a check that occupant numbers match the licence
Keep a written record of every inspection. You may need to show it to the council as evidence of compliance.
If you use Home-Share’s full management service, we carry out and record these inspections for you.
Does Medway Licensing Apply to Airbnb and Short-Term Lets?
No. Both schemes cover longer-term rentals only, so short-term and holiday lets are excluded. Holiday lets are subject to separate planning and regulatory rules. If you let a property on a frequent short-term basis, you may need planning permission for a change of use.
Can a Licence Be Transferred When a Property Is Sold?
No. Medway licences cannot be transferred to a new owner, so a buyer will need to apply for their own licence.
The documentation does not address portfolios held in a limited company. Our understanding is that the licence stays with the company. If you sell the company that owns the portfolio, the new owner would probably not need a new licence. Confirm this with the council or your solicitor during the sale.
What Do Landlords and Agents Think of Medway’s Licensing Scheme?
Medway Council’s consultation showed strong opposition from landlords and agents. Residents took a very different view:
- 81% of landlords and agents opposed selective licensing, compared with 19% of residents.
- 92% said the proposed £840 selective licence fee was too high. 75% said the same of the £1,600 HMO licence fee.
- 61% of landlords and agents said poor property conditions were not a significant local problem, while 73% of residents said they were.
- 67% disagreed with the proposed licence conditions, with many noting they duplicate existing legal obligations.
- 68% said the accredited landlord discount was too low. However, 42% of the landlords and agents who responded were not accredited or members of any landlord body, which means many would not currently qualify for the discount.
Despite these results, the council approved the scheme!
How Home-Share Can Help Medway Landlords
Licensing adds cost and paperwork to letting in Medway, but it doesn’t have to add stress. Home-Share can help you:
- Check whether your property needs a licence
- Prepare your documents ahead of applications opening
- Meet the ongoing inspection and record-keeping conditions
We’ll share the application details as soon as the scheme opens. In the meantime, if you have questions about how the scheme affects your property, email info@home-share.co.uk.
