Islington Council’s proposed expansion of property licensing has stirred debate among landlords, tenants, and residents.

• New Rules Proposed:
  The council wants landlords in nine new wards to pay £850 for a selective licence to rent out standard properties. A discounted rate of £775 is available for accredited landlords.

• Landlord Opposition:
  A recent council-commissioned survey shows nearly two-thirds of landlords oppose the plan, with many arguing that good landlords are being unfairly targeted.

• Tenant Experience Split:
  About 40% of tenants reported no issues with renting. However, many cited problems like damp, mould, poor conditions, and inadequate waste provision.

• Councillor Concerns:
  Some councillors suggested tenants may underreport issues out of fear of eviction, highlighting the power imbalance in the rental market.

• HMO Licensing to Continue:
  Islington also plans to renew its additional licensing for shared homes (HMOs), covering properties with 3+ unrelated tenants.

• What’s Next:
  The public consultation runs until 13 April. A final decision will be made by September.

“These licensing costs are too high – they’ll just be passed on to tenants.” – Resident comment

Council findings:

• £423,000 recovered through licensing in 5 years

• 37% of HMOs have health or safety hazards

 Have your say: islington.gov.uk