Check what type of property licence you need

There are 3 types of property licence:  

• mandatory HMO licence for larger Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)  
• additional HMO licence for smaller HMOs and some other types of HMO  
• selective licence for some privately rented properties in certain parts of Islington 

The licence you need, depends on:  

• how many people live in the property 
• whether they form one or more households 
• whether they share facilities, such as a kitchen or bathroom where the property is

HMO licensing 

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is usually a property where people from more than one household share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. 

There are 2 types of HMO licence: mandatory and additional. 

Mandatory HMO licence 

You need a mandatory HMO licence if your property is occupied by: 

• 5 or more people 
• forming 2 or more households 
• who share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet 

Additional HMO licence 

You may need an additional HMO licence if your property is occupied by: 

• 3 or 4 people 
• forming 2 or more households 
• who share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet 

An additional licence also applies to some converted buildings and flats. 

Selective licensing  

You need a selective licence if the property:  

• is privately rented  
• is occupied by either 1 or 2 people, or by a single family or household 
• is in one of the wards listed below  

Areas where you need a selective licence now 

Selective licensing is already in place in the following wards: 

• Finsbury Park 
• Hillrise 
• Tollington 

New selective licensing areas 

We are expanding selective licensing to more wards. 

If your property is in one of these wards, you must apply by 23 November 2026. 

This covers the following wards: 

• Barnsbury 
• Caledonian 
• Highbury 
• Junction 
• Laycock 
• Mildmay 
• Tufnell Park 

Read the signed document for the new designation 

Check which ward your property is in  

If you do not know your property's ward, check using our local area tool. 

Enter the property's postcode and select the address to find its ward. 

If you're not sure which licence you need 

Contact us if you're not sure whether your property needs a licence or which licence you need. 

You should check this before renting out the property. 

Email  

property.licensing@islington.gov.uk  

Register your property with the government 

Registering your property with the government is separate from getting a property licence from Islington Council. 

If you're a landlord of an assured or regulated tenancy, you must register yourself and each of your rented properties using the government's Register your rental property service.  

For properties in London, you must register by 14 October 2027.  
 
You may need to both: 

• get an Islington property licence 
• register yourself and your property with the government 

These have different legal requirements. 

Find out about the government's Register your rental property service