Islington expands selective licensing to 12,000 more private landlords amid tenant protection push

Islington Council extends its selective licensing scheme to an additional 12,000 private landlords across more wards, aiming to improve housing standards amid mixed reactions from landlords and residents alike.

Islington Council in North London has announced a significant expansion of its selective licensing scheme for private landlords, aiming to improve housing standards for thousands of renters across the borough. This move will bring an additional 12,000 landlords under the scheme, extending the licensing requirement to new wards including Barnsbury, Caledonian, Tufnell Park, Mildmay, Highbury, Junction, and Laycock. Previously, only three of the borough’s 17 wards had been covered by this scheme.

Under the new policy, landlords must pay £850 for each standard rental property they let, although those accredited by the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) or other recognised registers will receive a £50 discount. The council’s intention is to ensure renters have access to “safe, high-quality housing” and to hold landlords more accountable, particularly in areas with some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents. Alongside the expansion of the selective licensing scheme, the council has extended its additional Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing scheme—covering homes shared by three to four unrelated people—until 2031, beyond its previous expiry in 2026.

North London’s Islington borough is densely populated, ranking second only to Tower Hamlets in England and Wales according to 2021 census data, with nearly a third of homes privately rented. Despite tenants’ ongoing concerns about safety and rising rents, the council does not have ward-specific data on rent increases tied to licensing schemes, although Office for National Statistics (ONS) data show private rents in the borough rose by an average of 4.7% between September 2024 and September 2025, which is below the London-wide average increase.

The council had initially proposed extending licensing to nine additional wards but ultimately limited this to seven, citing the need for ward-specific evidence in accordance with statutory guidance before any further expansions. This measured approach underscores the council’s intention to base future policy decisions on data to address housing issues effectively.

However, the licensing scheme has faced opposition from many landlords and letting agents. A council-commissioned survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of landlords oppose the policy, with about half also against renewing the HMO licensing. Critics argue that the fees could lead to increased rents as landlords pass on the costs to tenants. Despite this, almost half of the respondents, including residents, supported the council’s proposals. These mixed reactions highlight the ongoing tension between raising housing standards and concerns over affordability and regulatory burdens on landlords.

Islington Council has defended the scheme as a necessary step to protect renters, with Cllr John Woolf, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, stating, “Everyone in Islington deserves a decent, safe and genuinely affordable place to live. We continue to hear from hundreds of renters who feel unsafe and unheard, while their rents keep rising.” The council emphasises that the scheme aims to create a level playing field where responsible landlords who maintain their properties properly are supported, while those who neglect their duties face enforcement actions including fines up to £30,000 per breach.

Earlier expansions in areas such as Finsbury Park, Tollington, and Hillrise have already seen licensing schemes addressing issues like disrepair, damp, mould, inadequate facilities, and safety concerns. Enforcement teams have acted on thousands of complaints, with criminal prosecutions and significant financial penalties as deterrents for non-compliant landlords.

While the council continues to strengthen its licensing regimes, it remains cautious about borough-wide mandatory licensing until sufficient evidence demonstrates its need. Meanwhile, the ongoing consultation and policy rollouts underscore Islington’s commitment to improving conditions in its sizeable private rented sector, balancing tenant protections with the operational realities faced by landlords.

📌 Reference Map:

• Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[5] (NRLA)
• Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[5] (NRLA), ^[7] (Islington Council Media)
• Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[4] (Property Wire), ^[6] (Islington Media)
• Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[5] (NRLA)
• Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[2] (Islington Citizen)
• Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[2] (Islington Citizen), ^[4] (Property Wire)
• Paragraph 7 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[4] (Property Wire), ^[6] (Islington Media), ^[7] (Islington Council Media)

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative is current, with the Islington Council’s announcement dated 24 October 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 24 October 2025, indicating no prior coverage. The report is based on a press release from Islington Council, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content is original and not recycled from other sources. No republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was identified. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material is noted, but the update justifies a higher freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quote from Cllr John Woolf, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, is unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating original content. No variations in quote wording were found, confirming consistency.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from Islington Council’s official news release, a reputable and authoritative source. The council’s public consultation on property licensing is well-documented, with supporting information available on their official website. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The claims about the expansion of the selective licensing scheme are plausible and align with Islington Council’s previous initiatives. The licensing fees and discounts mentioned are consistent with standard practices. The narrative includes specific factual anchors, such as dates, names, and institutions, enhancing credibility. The language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic, with no inconsistencies noted. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and consistent with official communications.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is current, original, and sourced from a reputable authority. All claims are plausible and supported by specific details. No signs of disinformation or recycled content were found. The report maintains a formal tone and structure appropriate for the subject matter.