By Jeff Glass, Lead Compliance Consultant · HMO KIT · Last verified 16 September 2026
Islington Selective Licensing Scheme 2026
Applications are now open for Islington’s expanded selective licensing scheme. From 23 November 2026, more privately rented properties across seven further wards will require a selective property licence.
Islington selective licensing: key 2026 update
| Key information | Latest position |
|---|---|
| New applications opened | 7 September 2026 |
| New scheme starts | 23 November 2026 at 12:00am |
| New wards covered | 7 wards |
| Existing selective licensing wards | Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington |
| Standard selective licence fee | £850 per property |
| Typical maximum licence period | Up to 5 years |
| Failure to license | Prosecution, civil penalties up to £40,000, and possible Rent Repayment Orders |
Source: Islington property licensing.
New wards joining the scheme
From 23 November 2026, selective licensing will also cover privately rented properties in:
- Barnsbury
- Caledonian
- Highbury
- Junction
- Laycock
- Mildmay
- Tufnell Park
Applications for properties in these seven wards are already open — you do not need to wait until November to apply.
What is selective licensing in Islington?
Selective licensing is a property licensing system for certain privately rented homes. Unlike HMO licensing, it can apply to an ordinary house or flat occupied by:
- one person
- two people, whether related or unrelated
- a single family or household
If your property falls within a designated selective licensing area and is privately rented, the person responsible for managing or controlling it may need a licence. The scheme aims to improve property management and housing standards, address anti-social behaviour and help Islington regulate privately rented homes. See also mandatory vs additional vs selective and our Islington additional HMO licensing guide.
Which areas of Islington require selective licensing?
Existing selective licensing areas
Selective licensing currently applies to qualifying privately rented properties in Finsbury Park, Hillrise, Tollington.
New selective licensing areas from 23 November 2026
The expanded scheme adds Barnsbury, Caledonian, Highbury, Junction, Laycock, Mildmay, Tufnell Park. That means significantly more Islington landlords come within selective licensing requirements during 2026.
Map: live selective licensing wards
Blue wards are inside the live selective designation today (Finsbury Park, Hillrise, Tollington). The seven expansion wards become live from 23 November 2026. Additional HMO licensing remains borough-wide wherever occupancy qualifies.
Confirm on the Islington borough hub or run the free licence checker. Hosted designation notice: Selective designation 2024.
Does my property need an Islington selective licence?
You are likely to need to investigate selective licensing if all three of the following apply:
- You privately rent out a house or flat in an affected Islington ward.
- The property is occupied by one or two people, or by one family/household.
- The property is not already subject to another applicable property licensing regime or a relevant exemption.
Properties occupied by several unrelated tenants may instead fall within mandatory or additional HMO licensing. Applying for the wrong licence — or assuming no licence is necessary — creates unnecessary delays and compliance problems.
| Example | Likely route |
|---|---|
| One flat · one couple · Barnsbury | Selective licensing from 23 November 2026 |
| One house · four unrelated sharers · Highbury | Usually additional HMO licensing (borough-wide) |
| Five unrelated sharers · any Islington ward | Usually mandatory HMO licensing |
Occupancy matters just as much as location. Check with the Islington licence checker.
How much does an Islington selective licence cost?
Islington Council currently lists the standard selective property licensing fee as £850 for the whole property.
| Fee stage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Part A — paid with the application | £450 |
| Part B — if the licence is granted | £400 |
| Total (before discounts) | £850 |
| Additional HMO licence (for comparison) | £900 + £100/bedroom |
Licence fee discounts (off Part B)
| Discount | Amount |
|---|---|
| Approved landlord accreditation | £75 |
| Property with EPC rating A, B or C | £50 |
| Qualifying licence renewal with no gap | £25 |
Where more than one discount applies, eligible discounts can be combined. The council applies discounts to the Part B payment.
Official detail: how to apply / fees · fees PDF · Islington fee cards.
What do I need for an Islington selective licence application?
Preparing before you begin makes the process far easier. Depending on the property, information or documents requested can include:
- applicant and property-owner details
- details of people or organisations with an interest in the property
- room measurements; kitchen and bathroom information
- tenancy agreement details, deposits and rent
- floor plans and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- valid gas safety documentation where gas is present
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
- relevant fire-safety information or certificates
- landlord accreditation evidence where claiming a discount
- payment details
The licence holder must also satisfy Islington’s fit and proper person requirements and demonstrate appropriate management arrangements. Missing or incorrect information can hold up an application. Full checklist: licence documents checklist · EICR & gas.
What happens if I don’t get a licence?
Where a property is required to be licensed but is rented without the appropriate licence, Islington Council states that this is a criminal offence. Current enforcement options can include prosecution, financial penalties of up to £40,000 for each offence against each responsible person, and an application for a Rent Repayment Order.
Islington’s own pages still summarise Rent Repayment Orders as up to 12 months’ rent. For relevant offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, the national maximum increased to up to 24 months’ rent (two years). If you believe your property should already be licensed, delaying rarely makes it simpler.
How HMO KIT can help with your Islington selective licence
- Property licence check — review location and occupancy to establish which Islington scheme may apply.
- Application preparation — organise the information and supporting documents.
- Compliance review — identify common gaps before or during the licensing process.
- Application support — guide the process and reduce avoidable mistakes.
- Ongoing landlord support — help when circumstances at the property change.
One property or an entire portfolio — get organised before the November start date becomes the problem. Apply via the council property licensing portal when ready.
Islington selective licensing FAQs
When does the new Islington selective licensing scheme start?
The new selective licensing designation covering Barnsbury, Caledonian, Highbury, Junction, Laycock, Mildmay and Tufnell Park starts at 12:00am on 23 November 2026.
Can I apply now?
Yes. Islington Council opened applications for properties within the new designation on 7 September 2026 — landlords do not need to wait until November.
Which Islington wards already have selective licensing?
The existing scheme covers qualifying privately rented properties in Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington.
How much is an Islington selective licence?
Islington Council currently lists the fee as £850 for the whole property (Part A £450 + Part B £400), subject to qualifying Part B discounts for accreditation (£75), EPC A–C (£50) and continuous renewal (£25).
Is selective licensing the same as HMO licensing?
No. Selective licensing commonly applies to privately rented homes occupied by one or two people or a single household in designated wards. Properties occupied by multiple unrelated tenants may fall under mandatory or additional HMO licensing instead — which is borough-wide in Islington.
Can HMO KIT help with an Islington selective licence?
Yes. HMO KIT can help with property management and the licence application — checking which scheme applies, preparing documents, coordinating certificates where required, and guiding the application.
How long does a selective licence last?
A licence can normally be granted for up to five years, although Islington can issue one for a shorter period — for example where there are concerns about management or prior unlicensed operation.
Do I need a separate licence for every rental property?
Generally yes — property licensing is property-specific. If you own several licensable properties in Islington, separate applications may be required for each one.
What if I am selling the property or stopping renting it?
In some circumstances a Temporary Exemption Notice may be relevant where genuine steps are being taken that will result in the property no longer requiring a licence. Eligibility should be checked carefully rather than assumed.
Useful Islington links
Applications are open — check your Islington property now
The November start date may sound comfortably distant. For landlords who need to gather certificates, confirm the correct licence type and resolve compliance issues, it can arrive surprisingly fast.
If your rental property is in Barnsbury, Caledonian, Highbury, Junction, Laycock, Mildmay or Tufnell Park, applications are now open. Get ahead of the requirement rather than reacting after the scheme begins. This guide is general information, not legal advice — confirm current Islington Council requirements before acting.
Check your Islington property first
Book a free consult, or run the free licence checker with Islington selected.