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Islington Additional HMO Licensing

Islington Council’s borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme has been in force since 1 February 2026, running for five years to 31 January 2031. Selective licensing already covers three wards, and Islington’s Executive has designated a further seven — taking coverage from 3 to 10 wards (implementation start date awaited). Apply via the Islington property licensing pages.

Scheme Is Live — Enforcement Active Since 1 February 2026

Islington’s additional HMO licensing scheme has been in force since 1 February 2026. Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is a criminal offence with civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence. Late applications also incur surcharges — get your compliance documents ready and apply now.

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Freeholders of Converted Blocks: This Scheme May Apply to You

Islington has included Section 257 HMOs — converted blocks of self-contained flats where the conversion did not meet the 1991 Building Regulations and less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied — within its additional licensing scheme. For a Section 257 HMO the licensable property is the whole building, and the licence holder is the “person having control” — which can be the freeholder or head lessee, not the individual leaseholders letting flats. If you hold the freehold of a converted block in Islington, confirm with the council whether the building needs a licence.

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Designated: Selective Licensing Expanding to Seven More Wards

Islington’s Executive formally designated a selective-licensing expansion to seven further wards on 23 October 2025 (scaled back from an original nine-ward proposal after consultation), taking coverage from 3 to 10 wards. The scheme is designated and approved — only the implementation start date is still awaited from the council. Landlords in the designated wards should prepare documentation now to avoid delays when applications open.

The Licensing Schemes

Live

Additional HMO Licensing

Applies borough-wide to HMOs with 3–4 occupants forming 2 or more households who share facilities. It also catches Section 257 HMOs — converted blocks of self-contained flats. Fee is a base charge plus a per-letting charge.

Base fee£900

+ £100 per letting (paid in two instalments)

Example: 5-letting HMO = £900 + (5 × £100) = £1,400

Coverage: Borough-wide

Designation: 1 Feb 2026 – 31 Jan 2031 (5 years)

Live + Designated Expansion

Selective Licensing

Covers all privately rented properties (not just HMOs) in designated wards. Live since May 2024 in Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise. A designated expansion to seven more wards takes coverage to 10 — start date awaited.

Fee£850

Per property, paid in two instalments

Scope: 3 wards live • 7 more designated (3 → 10)

Discounts & Surcharges

Islington offers fee discounts for accredited landlords and energy-efficient properties, and applies surcharges for late or incomplete applications. The discounts below apply to both the additional HMO and selective licence fees.

Accredited landlord

£75 off

Recognised landlord accreditation

EPC rating A, B or C

£50 off

Energy-efficient properties

!Late surcharges apply for applications submitted after a warning letter or requiring two or more document requests — apply promptly to avoid them.

Contact the council for the latest discount and surcharge amounts.

Key Dates

📅May 2024 — Selective licensing began in Finsbury Park, Tollington & Hillrise
📅1 February 2026 — Additional HMO licensing scheme came into force; enforcement active
📅23 October 2025 — Executive designated selective licensing expansion to 7 new wards (3 → 10)
📅Start date awaited — Designated 7-ward expansion not yet implemented (no go-live date confirmed)
📅31 January 2031 — Additional HMO designation expires (5-year scheme)

Selective Licensing Wards

Live wards (since May 2024)

Finsbury Park
Tollington
Hillrise

Designated wards (start date awaited)

Barnsbury
Caledonian
Tufnell Park
Mildmay
Highbury
Junction
Laycock

These seven wards were formally designated by Islington’s Executive on 23 October 2025, taking selective licensing from 3 to 10 wards. The expansion is designated and approved, but the council has not confirmed an implementation start date — prepare documentation now, but applications are not yet open for these wards.

Required Compliance Documents

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Maximum 12 months old

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EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)

Maximum 5 years old

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Fire Risk Assessment
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Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

A/B/C rating earns a £50 fee discount

Floor plans of each room

With layout and room measurements

Building insurance & proof of ownership

Plus landlord identity verification

Penalties

Civil penalty

Up to £40,000

Per offence

Prosecution

Unlimited fine

Criminal offence

Rent Repayment Order

Up to 24 months

Tenants can reclaim rent

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Islington additional HMO licensing start?
Islington's borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme has been live since 1 February 2026. It is a renewal of the council's earlier additional licensing scheme and runs for five years, until 31 January 2031. Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is already a criminal offence — apply now via islington.gov.uk.
Which properties need an additional HMO licence in Islington?
The scheme applies borough-wide to HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 unrelated people forming 2 or more households who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. This is broader than mandatory HMO licensing, which only applies to properties with 5 or more occupants. Islington has also included Section 257 HMOs — converted blocks of self-contained flats — within the additional licensing scheme.
How much does an Islington additional HMO licence cost?
The additional HMO licence fee is £900 base plus £100 per letting (bedroom or bedsit). For example, a 5-letting HMO costs £1,400 (£900 + 5 × £100). The fee is paid in two instalments. Accredited landlords receive a £75 discount and properties with an EPC rating of A, B or C receive a £50 discount.
Does Islington's scheme cover converted blocks of flats (Section 257 HMOs)?
Yes. Islington has included Section 257 HMOs — converted buildings containing self-contained flats where the conversion did not meet the 1991 Building Regulations and where less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied — within its additional licensing scheme. For a Section 257 HMO the licensable property is the whole building, and the licence holder is the person having control or managing it, which can be the freeholder or head lessee rather than individual leaseholders. Freeholders of converted blocks in Islington should confirm directly with the council whether the building needs a licence.
What is selective licensing in Islington?
Selective licensing requires all privately rented properties — not just HMOs — in designated wards to have a licence. Islington currently has selective licensing in three wards: Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise (live since May 2024). On 23 October 2025 the council's Executive designated an expansion to seven further wards, taking coverage to 10 wards. A selective licence costs £850 per property, paid in two instalments, with a £75 discount for accredited landlords and a £50 discount for EPC A/B/C rated properties.
Which wards are getting selective licensing next?
Islington's Executive formally designated a selective-licensing expansion on 23 October 2025, adding seven wards: Barnsbury, Caledonian, Tufnell Park, Mildmay, Highbury, Junction and Laycock (scaled back from an original nine-ward proposal after consultation). This takes selective-licensing coverage from 3 wards to 10. The scheme is designated and approved — only the implementation start date is still awaited from the council. Landlords in those wards should prepare documentation now so they can apply quickly once a date is set.
What documents do I need for my Islington licence application?
You will need: a valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12, maximum 12 months old), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR, maximum 5 years old), a Fire Risk Assessment, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), floor plans with room measurements, building insurance, proof of identity, and proof of ownership or management authorisation.
What happens if I don't get a licence in Islington?
Operating a licensable property without a required licence is a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004. Islington Council can issue civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence, prosecute with an unlimited fine, and tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order to recover up to 24 months' rent. Enforcement does not wait for your application to be processed.
Are there extra charges for late applications?
Yes. Islington can apply surcharges for late applications, applications submitted after a warning letter, or applications requiring two or more document requests. Submitting a complete application promptly — with valid gas safety, EICR and fire risk assessment attached — avoids these additional costs and processing delays.

Get Your Compliance Certificates

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More About Islington

Islington Providers →Islington Compliance Guide →EICR in Islington →Fire Risk Assessments →

Islington Property Licensing Team

Email: property.licensing@islington.gov.uk

Phone: 020 7527 3205

Official licensing info (apply here) →

London Property Licensing summary →

Islington Executive decision (23 Oct 2025) — selective licensing designation →