Do I need a landlord licence in Islington?

Yes — some rentals in Islington need a licence beyond the national HMO rules. Whether yours does depends on the property’s address and who lives there.

Mandatory HMO licensing (national)

Yes, everywhere in England

This is national law, not a council choice: any property rented to 5 or more people who form 2 or more separate households is a licensable HMO anywhere in England. If that describes your property, you need a licence from the council whether or not it runs any local scheme.

Official council source →

Selective licensing in Islington

Yes — a scheme is in force

Selective licensing applies to privately rented homes occupied by one or two people or a single household in three wards: Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington. The current designation has been in operation since May 2024, replacing the 2021 Finsbury Park scheme which was revoked at that point. If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a selective licence is a criminal offence. Schemes change and new designations appear, so always confirm on the council’s own page before relying on this.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Islington

Yes — a scheme is in force

Borough-wide additional HMO licensing covers houses and flats let to 3 or 4 unrelated people in 2 or more households, non-self-contained bedsit blocks, section 257 converted flats in single ownership, and small HMO flats in purpose-built blocks. A renewed designation took effect on 1 February 2026 and runs to 2031, replacing the scheme that began on 1 February 2021. If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a additional licence is a criminal offence. Schemes change and new designations appear, so always confirm on the council’s own page before relying on this.

Official council source →

Is your exact property covered?

Designations in Islington can run street by street. Check where your property stands in 3 minutes — free, no account.

Get your free compliance scoreFull audit + call — £99

Common questions

Do I need a landlord licence in Islington?
It depends on the property: larger HMOs (5 or more people from 2 or more households) always need a mandatory licence anywhere in England, and Islington’s own selective or additional schemes can extend licensing to other rentals — see the current position above.
What happens if I let an unlicensed property in Islington?
Letting a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence: unlimited fines on conviction or civil penalties of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to 12 months’ rent, and restrictions on regaining possession.
How do I check if my exact address is inside a licensing area?
Designations are often street-by-street. Check the map or address checker on Islington’s licensing pages (linked above), or take our free compliance score and we’ll flag licensing as something to verify for your property.
How much does a landlord licence cost?
Fees are set per council and per scheme, typically several hundred pounds per property for a five-year licence. Islington’s current fees are on the official page linked above.
Can LetClerk handle the licence application for me?
Yes — checking your address against current schemes and preparing the application is part of our done-for-you compliance service. Start with the free score or the £99 audit and we’ll take it from there.