Islington Council has approved a major expansion to its Selective Licensing scheme, one that will bring thousands more rental properties into scope in early 2026.
If you manage or let properties in Islington, this is a high-impact regulatory change that requires immediate attention.
Summary: Key Facts About Islington’s New Selective Licensing Scheme
- The scheme has been approved, covering 7 additional wards.
- Start date not yet published (expected early 2026).
- Does not launch on the same day as Additional HMO licensing.
- Additional licensing does start on 1 February 2026.
- Approximately one-third of Islington homes are privately rented, which is a major driver behind the expansion.
- Enforcement begins on the scheme start date with no grace period confirmed.
- Letting agents should act now to be ready before formal commencement.
Let’s start with the fundamentals.
What Is Selective Licensing and Why Islington Is Expanding It
Selective licensing requires landlords of non-HMO private rented homes (typically single household or two-person households) to obtain a licence before letting the property.
Councils can introduce a selective licensing designation when evidence shows issues such as:
- Poor property conditions
- High levels of deprivation
- Anti-social behaviour
- High levels of private renting
Islington’s evidence base for 2024-2025 shows:
- The private rented sector (PRS) makes up roughly one-third of all homes in the borough (according to the council’s consultation evidence).
- Many PRS homes fall below minimum standards, with issues such as damp, mould, overcrowding and disrepair raised repeatedly during the consultation process.
- Large parts of the borough show strong correlations between poor housing and areas of deprivation, a key trigger ground for selective licensing.
This data directly supports the council’s decision to expand the existing scheme.
What’s New? Seven More Wards to Be Designated for Selective Licensing
Islington already operates a selective licensing scheme that began on 20 May 2024, covering:
- Finsbury Park
- Tollington
- Hillrise
In 2025, the council approved a second, much larger selective licensing scheme. This new designation will apply to seven more wards:
New selective licensing wards approved for 2026:
- Barnsbury
- Caledonian
- Tufnell Park
- Mildmay
- Highbury
- Junction
- Laycock
Once in force, 10 of Islington’s 17 wards will require a licence for most private rented homes.
Has the Council Confirmed the Start Date?
Not yet.
Here’s the key detail:
- The council has approved the new Selective Licensing scheme.
- BUT the official designation order (the legal document setting the start date) has not yet been published.
- London Property Licensing has confirmed they are awaiting a confirmed start date from the council.
This means:
- The scheme will launch in early 2026,
- But the exact day it becomes a legal requirement has not been announced as of December 2025.
Are the New Selective and Additional Licensing Schemes Launching on the Same Day?
No.
Only the new Additional HMO licensing scheme has a confirmed date:
- Additional HMO Licensing start date: 1 February 2026
- Selective Licensing expansion start date: TBC (expected early 2026)
So although both schemes are part of Islington’s wider licensing strategy, they do not currently share the same commencement date.
When Will Enforcement Begin?
Enforcement begins as soon as a designation comes into force.
For the Additional HMO scheme, enforcement begins 1 February 2026, because that is the date written into the designation order.
For the Selective Licensing expansion, enforcement will begin on the day the new designation legally starts and is yet to be announced.
There is no confirmed grace period for either scheme at this time, so landlords and agents should assume that a licence application must be submitted by the start date to avoid offences and enforcement action.
What Types of Properties Will Require a Selective Licence?
Generally:
- Single-family homes
- Properties rented to 1 or 2 unrelated sharers
- Any privately rented home that is not an HMO
This scheme targets the broad PRS, not just shared accommodation.
What About HMOs? How Does This Link to Additional Licensing?
Islington already has:
- Mandatory HMO licensing
- Borough-wide Additional HMO licensing, renewed from 1 Feb 2026
This means:
- Most HMOs in Islington already require a licence, regardless of ward.
- Selective licensing applies to non-HMO private rented homes, but only in designated wards.
The two schemes run in parallel and cover different types of rental properties.
Why Letting Agents Should Act Now
Even before the new selective licensing start date is released, there are high-stakes reasons to act:
1. Portfolio risk is increasing sharply
With 10 wards covered, thousands of properties will fall under selective licensing for the first time.
2. Non-compliance carries heavy penalties
Letting agents and landlords risk:
- Civil penalties up to £30,000
- Rent repayment orders
- Inability to serve a valid Section 21
- Reputational damage and client loss
3. Application volumes spike before a scheme goes live
This creates long processing times and high admin loads for agents.
4. Agents with a smooth compliance process become more competitive
Landlords increasingly expect agents to handle licensing end-to-end.
If you don’t offer this, someone else will.
What Letting Agents and Landlords Need to Do Next
1. Audit your portfolio
Identify which properties fall in:
- The 3 existing selective wards
- The 7 newly approved wards
- The borough-wide Additional HMO scheme
- Mandatory HMO licensing
2. Speak to landlords now
Set expectations on:
- Likely fees
- Required documentation
- Fit and proper checks
- Property condition standards
3. Prepare to submit applications early
The earlier you gather documents, the smoother the process.
How Kamma Helps with Islington Licensing
Islington’s 2026 licensing changes place significant new compliance pressure on letting agents, particularly those managing large or mixed portfolios.
Kamma supports agents in two practical ways, depending on how hands-on you want to be.
1. Fully Managed Licensing Application Service
Take licensing off your team’s plate
We handle Islington licence applications end-to-end, from documentation and landlord chasing to accurate submission and council liaison.
This means:
- No admin burden for your lettings team
- Reduced risk of errors or missed deadlines
- Confidence that applications are submitted correctly and on time
👉 Get help with Islington licence applications
Book a quick call to see how the service works
2. Kamma Suite: Licensing & Compliance Platform
Stay in control as schemes expand
Kamma’s platform gives you a real-time view of licensing across your entire portfolio, helping you stay ahead as borough rules change.
With instant portfolio audits, live alerts and automated compliance workflows, you can:
- See which properties need a licence instantly
- Track renewals and deadlines with confidence
- Prepare portfolios proactively, not reactively
👉 See how Kamma helps agents stay compliant
Explore the platform or request a demo
Not sure which option is right for you?
Many agents start with a free portfolio audit to understand which properties fall into scope and what action is needed ahead of Islington’s 2026 deadlines.
👉 Request a free Islington portfolio audit
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Islington’s New Selective Licensing Scheme
1. Has Islington confirmed the start date for the new Selective Licensing scheme?
No. The scheme has been approved but the council has not yet published the formal designation order that sets the legal start date. It is expected to begin in early 2026.
2. Which wards are included in the new Selective Licensing expansion?
The newly approved wards are Barnsbury, Caledonian, Tufnell Park, Mildmay, Highbury, Junction and Laycock.
3. Does Selective Licensing start on the same day as Additional HMO Licensing?
No. Additional HMO Licensing has a confirmed start date of 1 February 2026. The Selective Licensing expansion does not have a start date yet.
4. When does enforcement begin?
Enforcement begins on the day the new scheme legally comes into force. For the Additional HMO scheme, this is 1 February 2026. For the new Selective Licensing scheme, enforcement will begin on its confirmed start date (TBC).
5. What types of properties need a Selective Licence?
Selective licensing generally applies to non-HMO private rented homes, including single-family lets and properties occupied by one or two unrelated tenants.
6. Why is Islington expanding Selective Licensing?
Council evidence shows the private rented sector makes up around one-third of all homes in the borough, with significant issues relating to property condition and deprivation—conditions that qualify for selective licensing under the Housing Act 2004.
