Property licensing

Why we license properties

Property licensing helps us to check the condition and management of private rented properties in the borough and enforce our standards. We license properties to:

• improve property standards and management
• help address anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues
• protect our residents from bad (rogue) landlords.

It is illegal for landlords and managing agents to let out a property that is not properly licensed. If we find out you are letting an unlicensed property, we may take you to court or fine each person involved up to £30,000 for each offence. 

Someone can apply for a Rent Repayment Order that may mean the landlord must pay back up to 12 months rental income from the property. Contact us for more information from our Enforcement and Prosecution Policy and Fixed Penalty Charging Policy.

Apply for a property licence

Find out more including what you need to apply and use the online application form.

Read and apply now

Properties that we license

Islington Council operates three property licensing schemes. If your property meets one of the descriptions listed below, you need to apply for a property licence. Search our property licence register

Mandatory licensing

All houses or flats where:

• there are five or more unrelated people, forming two or more households
• people living there share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

All buildings:

• occupied by five or more unrelated people, forming two or more households
• made up of bedsits or flats that are not fully self-contained (occupiers need to leave their bedsit or flat to use a bathroom or kitchen). 

Additional licensing

All houses or flats where:

• there are three or four unrelated people, forming two or more households
• people living there share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

All buildings:

• occupied by three or four unrelated people, forming two or more households
• made up of bedsits or flats that are not fully self-contained (occupiers need to leave their bedsit or flat to use a bathroom or kitchen).

Any building:

• that has been converted into self-contained flats
• where the standard of conversion does not meet the Building Regulations 1991
• where all of the flats are tenanted and under one single ownership (usually known as S257 HMOs).

All flats:

• let to three or more unrelated people, forming two or more households
• located within a purpose-built block of flats
• not covered by the mandatory licensing scheme.

Selective licensing

All privately-rented accommodation within the Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington wards occupied by:

• one or two people, whatever their relationship
• a single family or household.

By holding a property licence, you will have to follow rules set out in the HMO licensing conditions or selective licensing conditions. These ensure the property you let is properly managed and provides a safe environment for people to live in.

For mandatory or additional licensing your property should also meet these standards.

Current additional licensing and selective licensing schemes

A borough-wide additional licensing scheme has been in operation since 1 February 2021 and our current selective licensing scheme covering Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise wards has been operating since May 2024.

Contact

• Tel: 020 7527 3205
• Email: property.licensing@islington.gov.uk

If you are looking for a different type of licensing, find out about other types on our licensing pages.