Islington Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Islington
Islington currently operates selective licensing in 10 wards and additional licensing in 17 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 3 July 2026.
This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Islington Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Islington? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Islington and how to apply for a licence.
Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.
Not sure whether an Islington property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check an Islington property →What are the licensing requirements for Islington?
Mandatory licensing in Islington
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Islington (and all of England) to larger HMOs — properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in Islington?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed — a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Islington operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Islington?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Islington operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2031 — borough-wide (all 17 wards).
Selective licensing: 20 May 2024 to 19 May 2029 — covering Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington.
Selective licensing: 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2031 — covering Barnsbury, Caledonian, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Hillrise, Junction, Laycock, Mildmay, Tollington and Tufnell Park.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Islington Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a license cost?
Licence fees: see Islington Council’s property licensing pages for current selective, additional and mandatory HMO fees.
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Islington Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Islington operate?
Islington operates selective and additional licensing (20 May 2024 to 19 May 2029), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Islington need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating an unlicensed property that requires a licence can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, rent repayment orders of up to 24 months, and being unable to serve a Section 21 notice. Letting agents can be held jointly liable.Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Islington, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Islington property licence?
You can apply through Islington Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
How long does an application take?
Processing times vary with the council’s workload and the quality of the application. A complete, correctly prepared application is processed fastest.
Why did Islington introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Islington introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Islington?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Islington
Islington is an inner borough of London, England, located directly north of the City of London. It is part of the historic county of Middlesex and was established in 1965 through the amalgamation of the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury. The borough includes Finsbury Park, Upper Holloway, Highbury, Holloway, Islington, and Clerkenwell. Notable historical sites include the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Canonbury Tower, and Wesley’s Chapel. Islington has also been home to notable figures such as John Milton, Samuel Johnson, and Alfred Hitchcock..
The borough covers 5.7 square miles (15 square km) and had a population of 175,597 in 2001, growing to 206,125 by 2011.
Licensing Enforcement in Islington
Islington Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution, civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, and rent repayment orders of up to 24 months — with letting agents jointly liable alongside landlords.
Neighbouring borough guides
Licensing schemes stop at the borough boundary — a property one street over can need a different licence. Guides for the neighbouring boroughs:
