Consultation on Property Licensing in Islington

Islington Council are currently consulting on updating their Property Licensing Schemes until 27 March 2022. Please visit this page if you would like to have your say.

Property Licensing Consultation December to March 2022

August - November 2019 Consultation

Islington Council wants to improve conditions for tenants renting private accommodation including flats, houses and shared houses and it is proposing to:

1. Introduce a borough wide additional licensing scheme for all houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
2. Introduce a selective licensing scheme covering all other privately rented properties in Finsbury Park ward.

The Selective and Additional Licensing Consultation document

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we consulting on introducing these schemes?

The council recognises that there are many excellent landlords in Islington but there are also some landlords and letting agencies who are breaking the law and treating renters unfairly.

The council believes that introducing the new licensing schemes will:
• Improve the condition and safety of privately rented properties
• Make it easier to identify and take targeted action against bad landlords
• Provide a level playing field for good landlords who treat their tenants fairly

What is being proposed?

Additional HMO Licensing in all of Islington

A Borough-wide licensing scheme for HMOs requiring anyone who rents out a flat or house occupied by 3 or more tenants, who are not members of the same family, to get a licence.

Why? A pilot scheme of this type of licensing in Caledonian and Holloway Roads has led to an improvement in the management of properties. Our evidence shows that 26% of HMOs in other parts of Islington are poorly managed, have some of Islington’s poorest housing standards and are spread across the Borough.

The Additional HMO Licencing will also include all buildings converted into self-contained flats, where all of the flats are privately rented and do not meet the 1991 Building Regulations standards or above.

Why? Our evidence suggests many of these conversions have inadequate escape routes in the event of a fire and often the fire alarm systems in these buildings are unsatisfactory or missing.

Selective Licensing in Finsbury Park

A new licensing scheme for all other privately rented properties in the Finsbury Park ward will be introduced requiring anyone who rents out a flat or house occupied by either 1 household or 2 persons sharing, to obtain a licence

Why? This area has the highest number of complaints from private renters about property conditions in borough. It also experiences high levels of antisocial behaviour, crime and deprivation. This means we can use licensing to improve living conditions for all renters in Finsbury Park ward.

Licensing will allow the council to set minimum standards for property management, provision of kitchen and bathroom facilities, room sizes and health and safety (e.g. fire, gas and electrical safety checks) as well as requirements to deal with antisocial behaviour such as waste management.

Have your say

Please fill out our survey by 3 November 2019.

Property Licensing Consultation Survey

If you would prefer to provide specific feedback, especially if you are a landlord or managing agent, please send your written comments by email to property.licensing@islington.gov.uk

or post to: Residential Environmental Health, Islington Council, 222 Upper Street London N1 1RE.

Find out more at one of our consultation drop in sessions:

• 9 September 2019, 9.30am to 1pm, Committee Room 3, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2DU
• 1 October 2019, 9.30am to 1pm, North Library, Manor Gardens, London N7 6JX
• 2 October 2019, 1pm to 5pm, N4 Library, 26 Blackstock Road, London N4 2DW

What next?

Once this consultation has finished we will consider feedback and publish analysis of the results.

If, following this consultation, the council’s joint board and executive committee decide to proceed with the schemes they will come into force early next year.