Skip to content
Speech bubbles icon

Property Licensing Scheme Consultation

Islington Council wants to improve conditions for tenants renting private accommodation, including flats and houses occupied by single families or households, and is proposing to introduce selective licensing to some wards within the borough.

This consultation has ended

Start date 23 December 2021
End date 27 March 2022

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?

The re-designation of the existing selective licensing scheme operating in Finsbury Park ward to take into account the new ward boundaries and to extend selective licensing to (the new) Tollington and Hillrise wards. The council can implement this scheme without Secretary of State approval.

Why?

These areas have some of the highest number of complaints from private renters about property conditions in borough. Residents in these areas also experience high levels of antisocial behaviour, crime and deprivation. This means we can use property licensing to improve living conditions for all renters in these wards, and target our resources more effectively against the landlords and managing agents that deliberately do not want to comply with the law.

Find out more

Find out more and book your place at one of our online consultation information sessions:

Read the

Summary of the Consultation Document

Full Consultation Document

Frequently Asked Questions

If you need printed copies or 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.

Have your say

Please tell us your views by completing our on-line feedback questionnaire.

Survey

What next?

When this consultation closes on 27 March 2022 we will start to 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.

Summary information about the consultation

What is the council proposing and where?

 

To introduce a selective licensing scheme for the new wards of Tollington and Hillrise plus the re-designation of the existing scheme in Finsbury Park ward, to take into account the new ward boundaries.

This will cover all privately rented properties in those areas that are not HMOs covered by either the mandatory licensing scheme or the existing borough-wide additional licensing scheme. These properties can be houses or flats rented to either:

  • A single person
  • Two people sharing (regardless of their relationship to one another)
  • Any number of persons forming a single household (family)

Ward Boundary changes

More information about the changes to the ward boundaries can be found on the Local Government Boundary Commission website.

Who are you consulting with?

We will be consulting widely, with landlords, agents, tenants, residents, local businesses, regional and national landlord associations, the police, London Fire Brigade, neighbouring local authorities and all other stakeholders.

Why is the council considering Selective Licensing?

The council considers that the introduction of a selective licensing scheme will:

  • Improve the condition and safety of privately rented properties and protect the health and wellbeing of people living in them, particularly vulnerable people.
  • Address the significant and persistent problems of anti-social behaviour that can be associated with some privately rented properties.
  • Support the council’s wider work around housing, homelessness and anti-social behaviour.
  • Help the council to target bad landlords and support the good ones.
  • Encourage landlords to deal with irresponsible tenants.
  • Help tenants to easily identify who is responsible for repairs to their home.

What will happen if a landlord does not apply for a licence?

It is a criminal offence to operate without a licence in a designated area and could result in the landlord/owner being prosecuted. On conviction the landlord/owner could face an unlimited fine and any rent collected during the unlicensed period could be reclaimed by either the tenant or the council. A Civil Penalty Notice of up to £30,000 is an alternative sanction available to the local authority.

How much would a licence cost the landlord?

The licence fee will be based on the cost of delivering the Licensing scheme over the five-year period.

For a house, a self-contained flat or non-self-contained flat the total licence fee will be £500 (accredited landlords £425).

Fees will be split into two parts. Part 1 of the fee is paid as part of the submission of the complete application, and part 2 is paid once a decision has been made that the licence applicant is a fit and proper person and the property is licensable. If the council refuses to grant a licence the part 2 fee will not be required to be paid. Full details of all the applicable fees are included in Appendix 2 of the main consultation and evidence document.

I’m a tenant of a property within the designated area for selective licensing. How will it affect me?

Selective Licensing requires landlords to adhere to a number of conditions as part of their licence.

Officers from Islington Council may inspect the property to ensure the conditions are complied with, it is in a satisfactory condition and that any hazards present are appropriately addressed by your landlord.

This provides you with the reassurance that checks have been carried out to ensure that the property is of a suitable standard and suitable for occupation.

How can I find out more?

If you have any questions about the consultation, or require the questionnaire in another format please contact us on
E: property.licensing@islington.gov.uk
T: 020 7527 3205
Was this information helpful?



Data protection: We will handle your personal information in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and in accordance with the council’s Fair Processing Notice.