SELECTIVE LICENSING COMING TO 10 ISLINGTON WARDS
Islington Licensing Changes: Are Your Properties Covered?
Selective licensing expands to 10 of Islington's 17 wards, covering most privately rented homes let to one or two people, a single family or a household.
- Borough-wide Additional HMO licensing, already in force
- Selective licensing across 10 wards
- Civil penalties up to £40,000 per property
What Is Changing in Islington?
Applications open on 7 September 2026 and the scheme takes effect on 23 November 2026.
Additional Licensing
- Applies borough-wide
- Covers smaller HMOs (3-4 occupiers)
- Includes Section 257 HMOs
Selective Licensing
- Applies to all PRS properties in 7 wards
- Includes standard single-let homes
- Replaces the previous limited scheme
Islington Licensing in Detail
Wards, exemptions, fees, and how to check a single property. Each page is kept current as the council publishes changes.
Islington selective licensing FAQs
When does selective licensing start in Islington?
Applications open on 7 September 2026 and the scheme takes effect on 23 November 2026.
Which Islington wards need a selective licence?
Ten of Islington’s 17 wards: Barnsbury, Caledonian, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Hillrise, Junction, Laycock, Mildmay, Tollington and Tufnell Park. Seven are added by the expanded designation; Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise have been covered since 2024.
Which properties need a selective licence?
All privately rented accommodation occupied by one or two people, a single family, or a household. Social housing, holiday lets and properties already licensed as HMOs are exempt.
How much does an Islington selective licence cost?
£850 per property: £450 Part A when you apply and £400 Part B when the council grants the licence. Discounts come off Part B: £75 for an accredited landlord, £50 for an EPC rating of A to C, and £25 for a renewal with no gap in licensing.
Is there an early-bird discount or an application deadline?
No. Islington has not set an early-bird rate or a separate application deadline. Landlords who apply late may be granted a one-year licence rather than a five-year one.
What happens if a property is unlicensed?
Civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, and Rent Repayment Orders of up to 24 months. Letting agents can be held jointly liable alongside landlords.
Does Islington have other licensing schemes?
Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies borough-wide and has since 2006, and borough-wide additional HMO licensing runs from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2031. A property already licensed as an HMO does not also need a selective licence.
Enforcement starts the day the designation takes effect
Civil penalties up to £40,000
Rent Repayment Orders (up to 24 months)
Public rogue landlord/agent register exposure
Licence checks and compliance inspections
Most enforcement activity happens within the first 3–6 months of scheme launch.
We Handle Your Islington Applications End-to-End
From eligibility checks to council submission, handled correctly, first time from £295 per property.
Portfolio licence requirement checks
Full application preparation
Document review
Council liaison
Deadline tracking
Turn Licensing Into a Revenue-Positive Service
Many agents outsource their Islington applications to us and charge landlords an additional £100–£150 management fee. Instead of absorbing the admin internally, it becomes:
- A managed compliance service
- Protected margin
- No additional operational strain
Trusted by leading agents and surveyors
Licensing Applications Managed For You
Fixed fee per application. Full compliance handled end-to-end.
- Selective Licence£295
- Additional/HMO Licence£425
Managing Across Multiple Boroughs?
Each borough has different scheme rules, boundaries, fees and expiry dates.
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Automated scheme detection
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Borough-wide visibility
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What Happens Next
Islington Council made the designation covering the seven new selective licensing wards on 21 August 2026. Applications open on 7 September 2026, and the scheme takes effect on 23 November 2026.
21 August 2026
1 of 3
Designation made.
7 September 2026
2 of 3
Applications open.
23 November 2026
3 of 3
Scheme takes effect.
Three Months to Get Islington Portfolios Licensed
Applications take time. Documents need to be correct. Councils will enforce.
