Selective licensing in Islington
Yes. Islington operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need a selective licence in Islington?
Yes. Islington operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Islington does the scheme cover?
Borough-wide selective licensing covering all privately rented properties. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Islington's scheme end?
The designation runs until 19 May 2029, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£800. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Islington before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
- Discounts off Part B: £75 accredited, £50 EPC A-C, £25 gap-free renewal
Islington, read 28 August 2026
What the designation says
London Borough of Islington operates a Selective Licensing scheme that is being EXPANDED. The current designation came into force on 20 May 2024 and runs until 19 May 2029 (5-year designation). It replaced the previous Finsbury Park-only scheme that ran from 1 February 2021. On 23 October 2025 Islington Council's Executive resolved to expand selective licensing to seven additional wards . Designation under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004. CURRENT COVERAGE (since 20 May 2024): 3 wards — FINSBURY PARK, TOLLINGTON, HILLRISE. Notes: the scheme uses post-May 2022 ward boundaries. ANNOUNCED EXPANSION (date of effect TBC by council): 7 additional wards — BARNSBURY, CALEDONIAN, TUFNELL PARK, MILDMAY, HIGHBURY, JUNCTION, LAYCOCK. The Executive approved the expansion on 23 October 2025 but Islington Council had not confirmed the start date as of the latest update. Verify current status at islington.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/landlords/houses-in-multiple-occupation-hmos before applying. Once in force, the scheme will cover 10 wards in total. All privately rented houses or flats occupied by either 1 or 2 people (irrespective of relationship) or by a single household/family within the designated wards. Use the postcode checker on islington.gov.uk to confirm whether a property is in a designated ward. Note: the Finsbury Park ward has changed boundaries since 2022 — the licensing area may differ from current ward maps. Nearly a third of homes in Islington are privately rented (~74,000 residents including over 4,600 children/young people). Finsbury Park ward has the poorest housing conditions in private rented property in the borough and higher levels of deprivation. £850 per property. Two-part instalments. Discounts: £75 for accredited landlords/managing agents; £50 for EPC rating A-C. No discounts where late application or missing documents. Kitchen/bathroom facilities, room sizes, fire safety, gas safety (annual certificate), electrical safety (5-year EICR), waste management, anti-social behaviour management, fit and proper person test, written tenancy agreements. Section 95(1) Housing Act 2004 — operating unlicensed is a criminal offence. Civil financial penalty up to £40,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. RROs up to two years' rent for offences on or after 1 May 2026 (12 months before that date). propertylicensing.islington.gov.uk online application portal. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026; possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. The £40,000 ceiling applies to offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the £30,000 ceiling still applies to offences committed before that date.
What this means for a landlord
A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Islington before letting.