Islington, Additional Licensing Scheme for HMOs

The London Borough of Islington Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2025

The London Borough of Islington (“The Council”) in exercise of its powers under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004 (“the Act”) hereby designates for the additional licensing of houses in multiple occupation (“HMOs”) the area described in paragraph 4.

CITATION, COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION

1. This designation may be cited as the London Borough of Islington Designation of Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2025.

2. This designation is made on 30th October 2025 and shall come into force at 12.00am on 1st February 2026.

3. This designation shall cease to have effect at 11.59pm on 31st January 2031 or earlier if the Council revokes the scheme under section 60 of the Act.

AREA TO WHICH THE DESIGNATION APPLIES

4. The Council hereby designates for additional licensing under section 56 of the Act the entire area that is the district of the London Borough of Islington, as shown in the map in Appendix A of this designation.

APPLICATION OF THE DESIGNATION

5. This designation applies to an HMO that,

a) is occupied by three or more persons;

b) is occupied by persons living in two or more separate households; and

c) meets—

    i) the standard test under section 254(2) of the Act;

    ii) the self-contained flat test under section 254(3) of the Act (including all purpose-built flats);

    iii) the converted building test under section 254(4) of the Act; or

    iv) where an HMO declaration is in force in respect of it under section 255 of the Act;

    v) Converted building HMOs as defined by section 257 of the Housing Act 2004, but only where all accommodation units are all privately rented, and the building and accommodation units are in the same ownership. This includes buildings within mixed use developments or above non-residential premises.

6. This designation does not apply to an HMO if:

a) the building is of a description specified in Schedule 14 of the Act (Buildings which are not HMOs for the purposes of the Act excluding Part 1);

b) the HMO is subject to an Interim or Final Management Order under Part 4 of the Act;

c) the HMO is subject to a temporary exemption notice under section 62 of the Act; or

d) the HMO is required to be licensed under section 55(2)(a) of the Act and the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018 (mandatory HMO licensing).

e) Converted building HMOs, as defined by section 257 of the Housing Act 2004 that consist of no more than two flats.

EFFECT OF THE DESIGNATION

7. Subject to paragraph 6, every HMO of the description specified in paragraph 5 in the area described in paragraph 4, shall be required to be licensed under section 61 of the Act.

8. A person having control of or managing a licensable HMO must apply to the London Borough of Islington for a licence. Failure to apply for a licence is an offence under Section 72(1) Housing Act 2004. This is punishable on conviction in court by payment of an unlimited fine or alternatively they may be made subject to a financial penalty issued by the local authority, which currently can be up to £30,000. They may also be subject to additional sanctions as set out in our enforcement policies and procedures.

9. Online applications for the licensing scheme will open from 1st November 2025. To apply visit – https://propertylicensing.islington.gov.uk/ 

10. Landlords, managing agents, person managing an HMO, any tenant or other interested persons may seek general advice on this designation and to find out if their property is affected by the designation by contacting the Property Licensing Team during normal office hours, which are: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Either by email: property.licensing@islington.gov.uk or calling 020 7527 7670; or writing to London Borough Islington, Property Licensing Team, Regulatory Services, Homes and Neighbourhoods, 222 Upper Street, London N1 1XR.

11. A copy of this designation may be inspected at the London Borough Islington, Property Licensing Team, Regulatory Services, Homes and Neighbourhoods, 222 Upper Street, London, N1 1XR. To arrange an appointment please contact us using the details above.

12 The Council will comply with the notification requirements contained in section 59 of the Act and shall maintain a register of all HMOs licensed under this designation, as required under section 232 of the Act.

POWER TO DESIGNATE

13. This designation satisfies the condition as defined by the Secretary of State in exercise of their powers of giving a general approval under section 58 of the Act, which is enacted in the Housing Act 2004: Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing of Other Residential Accommodation (England) General Approval 2024 (General Approval 2024). The London Borough of Islington has satisfied the condition by consulting with persons who are likely to be affected by it under section 56(3)(a) of the Act for not less than 10 weeks.

14. The Executive Committee of the London Borough of Islington agreed to the introduction of this designation under the General Approval 2024 and delegated the power to designate to the Corporate Director for Homes and Neighbourhoods.

JED YOUNG

Corporate Director for Homes and Neighbourhoods

Date of designation: 30th October 2025

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