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Property Licensing Guide for Islington
Islington currently operates selective licensing in 3 wards and additional licensing in 17 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. A new selective licensing designation (10 wards) launches on 23 November 2026. Last checked: 25 August 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?
Selective licensing in Islington expands in 2026. Islington selective licensing 2026 has the ward list, the fee breakdown and the confirmed timeline.
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 covers 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. These are 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. That means 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: 23 November 2026 to 22 November 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.
Applications open on 7 September 2026 and the scheme takes effect on 23 November 2026.
What happens next
- 21 August 2026: designation made
- 7 September 2026: applications open
- 23 November 2026: scheme takes effect
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 licence cost?
Selective licence fee: £850 per property, paid in two instalments: £450 Part A when you apply, and £400 Part B when the council grants the licence. Discounts apply to Part B: £75 for an accredited landlord, £50 where the property has an EPC rating of A to C, and £25 on a renewal with no gap in licensing. See Islington Council’s property licensing pages for 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, 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2031), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. Applications open on 7 September 2026 and the scheme takes effect on 23 November 2026. 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 a property that requires a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent and cannot serve a Section 21 notice. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.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.
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 and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
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:
