Landlord licensing in London Borough of Islington
London · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
- Additional licensing
- Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and are often ward- or street-specific, so confirm the position for the exact address.
- Selective licensing
- Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before you advertise.
- Typical fees
- For Mandatory HMO and Additional Licensing, the fee is £1,100 for a five-year licence. Selective Licensing has a fee of £700 for a five-year licence. Discounts are available for accredited landlords and properties managed by accredited agents.
- Towns covered
- Islington
What this means for you
If you let a property in the London Borough of Islington, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check current designations and specific ward or street boundaries, as designations, fees and boundaries in London change regularly. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commenced 2026) introduced periodic assured tenancies, ended section 21 no-fault evictions, and established a national landlord database and ombudsman. Landlords must be registered on the national database. Whatever the licensing position, maintain the required evidence pack: a current gas safety record where gas is present, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and all required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.
Official links
Licensing designations, fees and boundaries change regularly. This page is a general summary, not legal advice — always confirm the position for the exact address with London Borough of Islington before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.