Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Islington?

London Borough of Islington currently operates selective licensing and additional HMO licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.

How much does a property licence cost in London Borough of Islington?

Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Islington are approximately: Islington Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Second Designation): Fee is £335 per letting (bedroom/bedsit), payable in two parts: Part A (£188 per letting) paid at application; Part B (£147 per letting) paid upon draft licence approval. Example: 4-bedroom shared house = £1,340 total. Previous scheme (2021-2026) charged £288 per letting (Part A £162, Part B £126). Fees are non-refundable for submitted applications. Section 257 HMO (block) fees differ - contact council for current rate; Mandatory HMO Licensing: Fee is £335 per letting (bedroom/bedsit), payable in two parts: Part A (£188 per letting) at application, Part B (£147 per letting) upon draft licence approval. Example: 5-bedroom HMO = £1,675 total. Previous fee (until approximately early 2026) was £288 per letting. Fees are non-refundable for submitted applications; Islington Selective Licensing Scheme (First Designation - Three Wards): £850; Islington Selective Licensing Scheme (Second Designation - Seven Additional Wards): £850. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.

Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in London Borough of Islington?

Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including London Borough of Islington. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to London Borough of Islington for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.

What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Islington?

Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.

Enhanced research coverage

Landlord licensing in London Borough of Islington

London

We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.

Selective licensing

Active selective

Additional HMO licensing

Active additional

Mandatory HMO licensing

Applies across England

Source confidence: Medium
Boundary confidence: Low
Public register: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Last reviewed: 27 March 2026
Next review due: Not scheduled
Sources recorded: 16

Open the official council source

Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.

Recommended next step

Confirm the detail before you rely on it

Our current data gives a useful starting point, but the area match or scheme detail may need confirming. Verify on the official council source, or get a written check if you want a documented answer.

Check the official council source Get a written property licensing check

What still adds uncertainty

At least one scheme uses street or custom-area boundaries, so a postcode match can only be approximate.
Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.

Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.

Verify with the council

Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with London Borough of Islington.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for London Borough of Islington

We will email you if London Borough of Islington introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.

Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.

If you need more than the council page

This page may already answer a lot of the question. Use the paid products only if you want a quicker written summary, a more risk-focused view, or ongoing monitoring.

Property Licensing Check

£29 · Live now

A property-specific PDF licensing report with a verification email template, current scheme fees, and a £30,000 risk context block — delivered to your inbox automatically.

Continue to secure payment

Licensing Due Diligence Report

£79 · Live now

A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.

Request the report

Alerts and monitoring

£12.99/month · Coming soon

A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.

See alerts and monitoring

These are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.

Check a postcode in London Borough of Islington

Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.

Local licensing scheme records

Additional LicensingActive

Islington Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Second Designation)

Borough-wide scheme covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) occupied by three or more persons from two or more separate households who share facilities. Includes: shared houses/flats with 3-4 unrelated occupants, purpose-built flat blocks with 3+ unrelated tenants in 2+ households, and Section 257 HMOs (buildings converted into self-contained flats where the conversion did not comply with Building Regulations 1991 and less than two-thirds of flats are owner-occupied). Section 257 HMOs are restricted to those where all flats are privately rented and under single freehold ownership.

Fee guide: Fee is £335 per letting (bedroom/bedsit), payable in two parts: Part A (£188 per letting) paid at application; Part B (£147 per letting) paid upon draft licence approval. Example: 4-bedroom shared house = £1,340 total. Previous scheme (2021-2026) charged £288 per letting (Part A £162, Part B £126). Fees are non-refundable for submitted applications. Section 257 HMO (block) fees differ - contact council for current rate.
Discount available: ATLAS accredited landlord or property manager (formerly London Landlord Accreditation Scheme / LLAS): off Per letting
Designation date: 30 October 2025
Scheme period: 1 February 2026 - 31 January 2031
Typical licence term: 5 years
Coverage: Borough-wide

Research notes

This is the second designation of Islington's additional licensing scheme. The first ran from 1 February 2021 to 31 January 2026. As of April 2024, approximately 3,247 properties were licensed under the additional scheme. Approximately 3,500 licences are expected over the five-year designation period, generating approximately £3 million in fee income. The scheme was approved by the Executive on 23 October 2025 and the designation was made on 30 October 2025. Property types covered: Shared houses occupied by 3-4 people from 2+ households sharing facilities (not meeting mandatory threshold),Shared flats occupied by 3-4 people from 2+ households sharing facilities,Bedsit-style HMOs with 3-4 occupants from 2+ households,Purpose-built flat blocks with 3+ unrelated tenants in 2+ households,Section 257 HMOs: converted buildings not complying with Building Regulations 1991, where all flats are privately rented under single freehold ownership. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties subject to mandatory HMO licensing (5+ occupants from 2+ households) Section 257 HMOs where NOT all flats are privately rented or NOT under single freehold ownership (Islington has restricted scope) Properties managed by local housing authorities, registered social landlords, or other specified public bodies.

Verify on official council page

Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.

Selective LicensingActive

Islington Selective Licensing Scheme (First Designation - Three Wards)

Covers all privately rented properties in three council wards: Finsbury Park, Tollington, and Hillrise. Applies to properties let to a single household, a single tenant, or two unrelated people sharing.

Licence fee: £850
Fee guide: Fee of £850 per property, payable in two parts: Part A paid at application submission, Part B paid upon draft licence approval. Fees are non-refundable for submitted applications. The previous selective licensing scheme (Finsbury Park ward only, 2021-2026) charged £500 per property.
Discount available: ATLAS accredited landlord or property manager (formerly LLAS): 75 off Total fee; EPC rating A, B, or C: 50 off Total fee
Designation date: 19 February 2024
Scheme period: 20 May 2024 - 19 May 2029
Typical licence term: 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

As of April 2024, approximately 1,719 properties were licensed under selective licensing. The scheme was designated on 19 February 2024 with applications opening 1 April 2024 (about 7 weeks before the scheme came into force on 20 May 2024). Finsbury Park ward was singled out as having some of the worst housing conditions in privately rented property in the borough, with high levels of deprivation. Property types covered: All privately rented properties (houses and flats) occupied by a single household, single tenant, or two unrelated people sharing. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already subject to mandatory HMO licensing Properties already subject to additional HMO licensing Properties managed by local housing authorities or registered social landlords.

Verify on official council page

Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.

Selective LicensingProposed

Islington Selective Licensing Scheme (Second Designation - Seven Additional Wards)

Approved extension of selective licensing to seven additional wards: Barnsbury, Caledonian, Tufnell Park, Mildmay, Highbury, Junction, and Laycock. Will cover all privately rented properties occupied by a single household, single tenant, or two unrelated people sharing in these wards. Start date not yet confirmed as of March 2026.

Licence fee: £850
Fee guide: Expected to be £850 per property (same as current Scheme 1 fee), but subject to confirmation when scheme start date is announced. Two-part payment structure expected.
Discount available: ATLAS accredited landlord or property manager: 75 off Total fee (expected, subject to confirmation); EPC rating A, B, or C: 50 off Total fee (expected, subject to confirmation)
Typical licence term: 5 years
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Research notes

The Executive approved plans on 23 October 2025. The scheme was scaled back from the originally proposed nine wards: Canonbury and Clerkenwell were removed from the final approved scheme following consultation feedback (1,081 responses were received). Council documents had indicated the earliest new schemes may come into effect was January 2026, but as of March 2026 no start date has been confirmed. When implemented, the combined selective licensing coverage will span 10 wards (3 existing + 7 new). Nearly two-thirds of Islington landlords reportedly opposed selective licensing expansion in a survey published in April 2025. Property types covered: All privately rented properties (houses and flats) occupied by a single household, single tenant, or two unrelated people sharing. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties already subject to mandatory HMO licensing Properties already subject to additional HMO licensing Properties managed by local housing authorities or registered social landlords.

Verify on official council page

Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.

Public licensing register

Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.

Public register found: Yes
Search method: Search by postcode
Register usability: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Register updated: April 2024

HMOAdditionalSelective

Appears to cover HMO, additional and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.

Register notes

Maintained under the Housing Act 2004 requirement. Users can search by postcode. The register includes licensed properties, Temporary Exemption Notices, and Interim/Final Management Orders. JavaScript must be enabled. As of April 2024: approximately 567 mandatory HMO licences, 3,247 additional HMO licences, and 1,719 selective licences held.

Open the public register

The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.

Research summary

These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.

Last reviewed

27 March 2026

Research confidence

Medium (59/100)

Sources checked

Research notes

Multiple official and well-regarded third-party sources corroborate the core scheme details. The additional licensing designation date, start/end dates, and approval process are confirmed by the statutory public notice portal and Islington press releases. The selective licensing Scheme 1 (Finsbury Park, Tollington, Hillrise) details are well-documented across multiple sources with consistent dates. The second selective licensing scheme approval is confirmed by council press releases and LPL. Fee information is the area of greatest uncertainty: the 2024/25 PDF shows £288/letting for HMO fees, while Kamma (updated for 2026) and NRLA (January 2026) report £335/letting - the higher figure is treated as current. Selective licensing fee of £850 is confirmed by londonpropertylicensing.co.uk as of March 2026.

Council contact details

Email: property.licensing@islington.gov.uk
Phone: 020 7527 3205
Address: Property Licensing Team, 222 Upper Street, London N1 1XR

Important to verify

Confirmed start date for second selective licensing scheme (7 additional wards)
Part A/Part B split for selective licensing £850 fee
Current S257 HMO block fee (previously £703, may have changed)
Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.

Supporting sources

Mandatory HMO licensing

All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from London Borough of Islington.

Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with London Borough of Islington.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

National mandatory requirement covering all properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households sharing facilities. Applies borough-wide as a legal requirement under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004.

Fee notes: Fee is £335 per letting (bedroom/bedsit), payable in two parts: Part A (£188 per letting) at application, Part B (£147 per letting) upon draft licence approval. Example: 5-bedroom HMO = £1,675 total. Previous fee (until approximately early 2026) was £288 per letting. Fees are non-refundable for submitted applications.
Typical licence term: 5 years

As of April 2024, approximately 567 properties were licensed under mandatory HMO licensing in Islington. The mandatory scheme applies nationally to all English local authorities. Islington has operated mandatory HMO licensing continuously in accordance with the Housing Act 2004. Property types covered: Houses occupied by 5 or more persons from 2 or more households sharing amenities,Flats/bedsits where occupants must leave the unit to access shared bathrooms or kitchens, occupied by 5+ from 2+ households,Converted buildings (not self-contained flats) occupied by 5+ persons from 2+ households. Exemptions or exclusions: Purpose-built self-contained flats in blocks of 3 or more (exempt from mandatory; may fall under additional licensing) Properties managed by local housing authorities, registered social landlords, or other specified public bodies.

View HMO licensing info on council website

Other compliance requirements

In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts

View full compliance checklist →

Common questions about licensing in London Borough of Islington

Do I need a landlord licence in London Borough of Islington?: London Borough of Islington currently operates selective licensing and additional HMO licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
How much does a property licence cost in London Borough of Islington?: Based on our current data, licence fees in London Borough of Islington are approximately: Islington Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (Second Designation): Fee is £335 per letting (bedroom/bedsit), payable in two parts: Part A (£188 per letting) paid at application; Part B (£147 per letting) paid upon draft licence approval. Example: 4-bedroom shared house = £1,340 total. Previous scheme (2021-2026) charged £288 per letting (Part A £162, Part B £126). Fees are non-refundable for submitted applications. Section 257 HMO (block) fees differ - contact council for current rate; Mandatory HMO Licensing: Fee is £335 per letting (bedroom/bedsit), payable in two parts: Part A (£188 per letting) at application, Part B (£147 per letting) upon draft licence approval. Example: 5-bedroom HMO = £1,675 total. Previous fee (until approximately early 2026) was £288 per letting. Fees are non-refundable for submitted applications; Islington Selective Licensing Scheme (First Designation - Three Wards): £850; Islington Selective Licensing Scheme (Second Designation - Seven Additional Wards): £850. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in London Borough of Islington?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including London Borough of Islington. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to London Borough of Islington for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in London Borough of Islington?: Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.

Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you

Use these routes to move from the London Borough of Islington summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.

Landlord with a standard let→

Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.

Shared occupancy or possible HMO→

Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.

Check if a property has an HMO licence→

Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.

Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→

Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.

Letting agent or portfolio manager→

Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.

Understand selective licensing rules→

Read the guide if you want the broader legal background on how selective licensing works alongside this council page.

Understand additional licensing rules→

Read the guide if you want the broader background on how additional HMO licensing works alongside this council page.

Need the local HMO route→

Use the additional licensing page if the real question is whether a smaller shared house needs a local licence here.

Tenant checking landlord compliance→

Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.

Important disclaimer

This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.