Public notice

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Section 83 Housing Act 2004 (Notification Requirements Relating to Designation) Thurrock Council in exercise of its powers under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004 (“the Act”) hereby designates for Selective Licensing the areas described in paragraph 4. 

CITATION, COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION 

1. This Designation shall be known as Thurrock Council Designation for Areas for Selective Licensing 2025 No 1. All privately rented residential accommodation situated within the designated areas must be licensed with the Council unless subject to statutory exemption as set out in paragraph 5. 

2. This Designation has been made on 17 September 2025. This designation does not require confirmation by the Secretary of State. This designation was given general approval by the Cabinet of Thurrock Council. This designation falls within a description of designations in relation to which the Secretary of State has given a general approval under section 82 of the Housing Act 2004 (“the Act”),: namely the Housing Act 2004 Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing of Other Residential Accommodation (England) General Approval 2024 which came into force on the 23 December 2024. This Designation shall come into force on 5 January 2026 (not less than 3 months after decision date). 

3. This Designation shall cease to have effect on 4 January 2031 (not more than 5 years) or earlier if the Council revokes the scheme under section 84 of the Act. 

AREAS TO WHICH THE DESIGNATION APPLIES 

4. This Designation shall apply to the following 16 wards of Thurrock Council as delineated and edged in green on the map in Annex A: 

1.    Aveley and Uplands
2.    Belhus
3.    Chadwell St Mary
4.    Chafford and North Stifford
5.    Corringham and Fobbing
6.    East Tilbury
7.    Grays Roverside
8.    Grays Thurrock
9.    Little Thurrock Rectory
10.    Ockendon
11.    South Chafford
12.    Standford East and Corringham Town
13.    Stanford-Le-Hope West
14.    Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park
15.    Tilbury St Chads
16.    West Thurrock and South Stifford 

APPLICATION OF THE DESIGNATION 

5. This designation applies to any house  which is let or occupied under a single tenancy or 2 or more tenancies or licences in respect of different dwellings contained in it within the area described in paragraph 4 unless: 
(a) the house is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) that falls within the nationally prescribed category of HMO that is required to be licensed as a ‘mandatory HMO’ under section 55(2)(a) Part 2 of the Act ; 
(b) the house is a house in multiple occupation that falls within the prescribed category of HMO that is required to be licensed under Thurrock Council Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2021 made on 7 May 2025 under Section 56 of the Housing Act 2004 ;
(c) the tenancy or licence of the house has been granted by a registered social landlord 
(d) the house is subject to an Interim or Final Management Order under Part 4 of the Act; 
(e) the house is subject to a temporary exemption under section 86 of the Act; or 
(f) the house is occupied under a tenancy or licence which is exempt under the Act, or the occupation is of a building or part of a building so exempt as defined in Paragraph 5(f): Exempted tenancies or licences, Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 SI 370/2006. The Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006

EFFECT OF THE DESIGNATION 

6. Subject to sub paragraphs 5(a) to (f) every house in the area specified in paragraph 4 that is occupied under a tenancy or licence shall be required to be licensed under section 85 of the Act 

7. Thurrock Council will comply with the notification requirements contained in section 83 of the Act and shall maintain a register of all houses registered under this designation, as required under section 232 of the Act. 

8. Any landlord, managing agent, person in control of a privately rented property, or tenant within Thurrock Council may seek advice regarding whether their property is affected by the recent designations at selectivelicensing@thurrock.gov.uk from 1 November 2025, applications for property licences can be submitted via the Council’s website: Thurrock Council For paper applications, please email: selectivelicensing@thurrock.gov.uk. This designation has been made by Thurrock Council, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, RM17 6SL.

9. If you wish to inspect this designation in respect of selective licensing of properties in Thurrock Council it may be inspected at the Council’s offices at Thurrock Council, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, RM17 6SL. 

10.Upon the Designation coming into force any person having control of or who manages a licensable property without a licence, or who allows a licensed property to be occupied by more households or persons other than as authorised by a licence, is liable to prosecution and upon summary conviction is liable to a fine pursuant to the provisions of section 95 of the Act. A person who breaches a condition of a licence is liable to prosecution and upon summary conviction liable to a fine. 

11.The Council, as an alternative to initiating a prosecution, may pursue one or more of a range of other enforcement actions including the imposition of a financial penalty of up to £30,000 and/or taking management control of the unlicensed property. 

12.Further, where an offence has been committed an application may also be made by the Council and/or tenant under the provisions of section 41 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 for a Rent Repayment Order to pay back up to 12 months’ rent, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. 

13.No notice under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 may be given in relation to an assured shorthold tenancy of the whole or part of an unlicensed house so long as it remains an unlicensed house. 

Signed:
Daniel Fenwick 
Executive Director - Corporate Services
For and on behalf of Thurrock Council
Date: 22nd September 2025