Islington renters could be better protected from rogue landlords with possible expansion of HMO licensing scheme

Islington Council is set to consult on further steps to protect private renters in the borough. It will initiate a public consultation in early 2025 to decide on the renewal and expansion of its property licensing schemes.

These schemes aim to ensure that private renters across Islington have access to safe, high-quality housing and that landlords are held accountable for maintaining their properties.

The council will consult on two licensing schemes. It proposes to renew its borough-wide additional licensing scheme which is due to expire in February 2026 - this applies to houses or flats shared by three or four unrelated people from different households.

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It is also consulting on expanding its selective licensing scheme, which currently operates in Finsbury Park, Hillrise, and Tollington wards, and covers privately rented homes for one or two people, or a single family. The expansion could include nine more wards: Barnsbury, Caledonian, Tufnell Park, Mildmay, Highbury, Junction, Laycock, Canonbury, and Clerkenwell.

More than a third of homes in Islington are privately rented, highlighting the need to protect private tenants. Under the existing schemes, landlords who fail to register or meet licence conditions face penalties, including fines or criminal convictions.

This means that responsible landlords benefit from a level playing field, while rogue landlords who neglect maintenance or exploit tenants are held accountable.

Cllr John Woolf, from Islington Council's housing team, made some key comments recently: "Everyone in Islington deserves a safe, decent and genuinely affordable place to call home. We want to do all we can to protect private renters and hold landlords who fail to provide decent accommodation accountable."

He added: "Our experience with the existing schemes shows that licensing can make a real difference. We want to hear from residents, landlords and stakeholders as part of this consultation to ensure our plans meet the needs of everyone in our community."

In 2025, they'll start a big talk with folks living there, landlords, and others involved to see how they might be able to take their plans further and make them work well for everyone.