Havering letting agent.
A landlord's guide to letting, licensing & managing property in Havering.
Havering is outer East London's strongest family-letting market — Romford's regeneration and the Elizabeth line have transformed demand at the affordable end, while Hornchurch, Upminster and Emerson Park anchor a premium owner-occupier and family-renter base. The borough does not run a borough-wide selective licensing scheme, which makes upfront costs lower than its inner neighbours — but additional and mandatory HMO licensing still apply.
Figures are indicative, drawn from Census 2021, GLA and ONS data. Havering's licensing position can change — always check the latest Havering Council guidance and licence fees for your specific address before letting.
Havering is the East London
outlier on licensing.
Havering does not operate a borough-wide selective licensing scheme — making it the easiest East London borough on upfront licensing costs for standard single-household lets. However, additional HMO licensing for smaller shared houses and the national mandatory HMO scheme for larger HMOs still apply, and the council's position is reviewed periodically, so always confirm before letting.
Not generally required
Havering does not currently operate a borough-wide selective licensing scheme. Council policy is reviewed periodically — always confirm the current position before letting.
Smaller shared homes (where required)
Where additional HMO licensing applies in Havering, it captures shared homes that fall outside the national mandatory scheme. Confirm coverage for your specific address.
Larger HMOs (5+ occupants, 2+ households)
National scheme — applies in every London borough, including Havering. Strict room size, amenity and fire-safety standards apply.
Get in touch and we'll tell you exactly which licence applies, what it'll cost, and handle the application for you.
Family-led,
owner-occupier anchored.
Havering has one of London's most settled family populations — long tenancies, strong owner-occupier presence, and demand driven by good state schools, larger homes and the Elizabeth/District line into central London and Canary Wharf.
Romford has been transformed by the Elizabeth line and large-scale town-centre regeneration; Hornchurch and Upminster remain among the strongest premium family-letting markets in outer East London.
Larger household sizes than the London average, with sustained demand for 3-bed houses with gardens.
Some of the strongest secondary-school catchments in East London — particularly around Hornchurch, Upminster and Gidea Park.
Romford, Gidea Park, Harold Wood on the Elizabeth line; Hornchurch, Elm Park and Upminster on the District line.
Around 1 in 5 households rent privately — a smaller but very consistent tenant pool with long tenancies.
Send us the postcode and we'll come back with a realistic rent figure and the right tenant strategy for it.
Havering isn't
one market.
Rents, stock and tenant profile shift sharply between Romford's regeneration, Hornchurch and Upminster's premium family belt, and the further-out semi-rural pockets.
Romford
Elizabeth line, large-scale town-centre regeneration, new-build flats and converted period stock — fastest-growing tenant demand in the borough.
Hornchurch
Premium family market — period houses, District line, strong owner-occupier feel and excellent state-school catchments.
Upminster & Cranham
Top of the borough — large family homes, District/Elizabeth line, premium long-term family rentals.
Gidea Park & Emerson Park
Conservation area period homes, Elizabeth line, strong premium family-letting market.
Harold Wood & Harold Hill
Elizabeth-line uplift, affordable family terraces and semis — solid yields and consistent demand.
Rainham & South Hornchurch
More affordable entry point, family-led demand, strong long-term tenant retention.
Questions we hear
most often.
Quick answers on Havering licensing, rents and what to expect from us as your local letting agent.
Do I need a property licence to let a home in Havering?
Havering does not currently operate a borough-wide selective licensing scheme, so most single-household lets do not need a selective licence. However, additional HMO licensing for smaller shared houses and the national mandatory HMO licence for larger HMOs still apply. Council policy is reviewed periodically — always confirm the current position before letting.
Is Havering cheaper to let in than Newham or Waltham Forest?
Yes, on upfront licensing for standard single-household lets — Havering's lack of a borough-wide selective scheme means a typical landlord avoids the £600–£900 selective licence fee charged in most neighbouring boroughs. HMO licensing still applies where relevant.
What happens if my Havering property is an HMO?
Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to 5 or more occupants forming 2+ households, anywhere in the country including Havering. Additional HMO licensing may also apply to smaller shared houses depending on the council's current scheme. Letting an HMO without the right licence is a criminal offence with penalties up to £30,000.
Which Havering areas have the highest rental demand?
Hornchurch and Upminster dominate the premium family-letting market via the District and Elizabeth lines and strong school catchments. Romford has the largest Elizabeth-line uplift and the strongest new-build flat demand. Harold Wood and Gidea Park sit in between for value family stock.
What rental yields can I expect in Havering?
Gross yields typically run 4.5–5.5% on family terraces and semis in Romford, Harold Wood and Rainham, and 3.5–4.5% on premium Hornchurch and Upminster family homes where capital values are higher. Actual figures depend on condition and any HMO licensing costs.
Property in Havering?
We'll handle the rest.
Licensing, compliance, valuation, marketing, tenants. Send us the postcode and we'll come back with a rent figure and the right service for the property — within a working day.