Paget Street in the Clerkenwell Ward of Islington, where the council is proposing to expand the selective licensing scheme
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Islington council has started a consultation with residents and landlords to seek opinions on renewing and extending it’s current property licensing schemes.
The new proposals see the selective licensing scheme, which covers privately rented homes occupied by one or two people, or a single family, extended to nine additional wards.
As it stands, the scheme only covers three wards – Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington.
In a recent press release, the council have stated:
“With more than a third of Islington homes being privately rented, it is more important than ever to ensure renters have good-quality housing.
Under the existing schemes, landlords who fail to register or meet licence conditions can face penalties, including fines or criminal convictions.
This ensures a fair environment for responsible landlords while tackling issues caused by rogue landlords who neglect maintenance or exploit tenants.”
The consultation also focuses on renewing the borough-wide additional licensing scheme.
Covering houses or flats shared by three or four separate people from different households, this scheme is due to end in February 2026.
Under these schemes, landlords would have to meet certain property standards, provide essential safety measures, ensure proper property management, as well as face consequences for non-compliance.
Dresden Road in the Hillrise Ward of Islington, where the selective licensing scheme already applies
City News spoke to Frederick Gantz, a spokesperson for Acorn, a community-based union that advocates for tenants’ rights, amongst other local issues, across the UK.
‘At the moment, the situation in this country is that you need more licenses to house livestock than you need to house humans. If you were to have chickens, or breed dogs, you need licenses for that.’
Frederick Gantz, spokesperson for Acorn the Union
Gantz continued:
“Most landlords don’t require a license to let out their house, which is ridiculous because it means the council can’t enforce any kind of minimum standards and it’s very difficult to take the ability to rent away from a landlord if they’re consistently breaking the law.”
A renters’ perspective
Islington resident Calum, who rents in a house covered by the borough-wide additional licensing scheme has said:
“I’ve actually got quite a good landlord. He’s quite a reasonable man and usually sorts out any issues we have quite quickly.
Maybe that’s because the licensing scheme covers our house, I’m not sure, but I think it probably helps.
I think they should definitely expand the [selective-license] scheme, because there are probably loads of landlords in Islington who won’t follow the standards unless they have to.”
‘It comes across as a money making scheme’
City News also spoke to Helen, who rents out a property in Highbury, one of the wards where the selective licensing scheme has been proposed to be introduced.
“I’m irritated by the suggestion that I should be licensed to ensure standards are maintained, at a cost to me of £750 which is 50% of one month’s rental income.
I suspect many other small time landlords will be equally conscientious and equally irritated.
Islington Council provide little evidence that landlords like me are really the problem, so it comes across as a money making scheme.”
Rent caps?
In a recent YouGov survey, 74% of Londoners agreed that they would support ‘implementing a cap on the amount of rent that can be charged based on the location and quality of the property’.
15% of those surveyed were opposed to rent caps, with another 10% answering that they don’t know.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords after passing through the House of Commons, is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at improving the rights and protections of renters in England.
Frederick Gantz has said that Acorn have lobbied for the Bill and see it as a very positive step, however it misses out on affordability.
“It really falls short in the capping of the rent, the affordability, and I think that’s something that we’re really going to be pushing for, especially across London, where rents are so high and rising so quickly.
It’s something that we’re actually working with City Hall and the Mayor’s office on as well. Sadiq Khan has come out in favour of rent controls a number of times, and we really want to make sure that happens.
Whether that’s tied to income, whether that’s tied to area – just getting those rents back under control and making renting affordable again.”
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HeadlineIslington council proposes expanded safeguards for renters
Short HeadlineIslington plans stronger renter protections
StandfirstThe council is consulting on plans to renew and expand property licensing schemes, aiming to improve housing conditions and hold landlords accountable
Islington council has started a consultation with residents and landlords to seek opinions on renewing and extending it’s current property licensing schemes.
The new proposals see the selective licensing scheme, which covers privately rented homes occupied by one or two people, or a single family, extended to nine additional wards.
As it stands, the scheme only covers three wards – Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington.
In a recent press release, the council have stated:
“With more than a third of Islington homes being privately rented, it is more important than ever to ensure renters have good-quality housing.
Under the existing schemes, landlords who fail to register or meet licence conditions can face penalties, including fines or criminal convictions.
This ensures a fair environment for responsible landlords while tackling issues caused by rogue landlords who neglect maintenance or exploit tenants.”
The consultation also focuses on renewing the borough-wide additional licensing scheme.
Covering houses or flats shared by three or four separate people from different households, this scheme is due to end in February 2026.
Under these schemes, landlords would have to meet certain property standards, provide essential safety measures, ensure proper property management, as well as face consequences for non-compliance.
Dresden Road in the Hillrise Ward of Islington, where the selective licensing scheme already applies
City News spoke to Frederick Gantz, a spokesperson for Acorn, a community-based union that advocates for tenants’ rights, amongst other local issues, across the UK.
‘At the moment, the situation in this country is that you need more licenses to house livestock than you need to house humans. If you were to have chickens, or breed dogs, you need licenses for that.’
Frederick Gantz, spokesperson for Acorn the Union
Gantz continued:
“Most landlords don’t require a license to let out their house, which is ridiculous because it means the council can’t enforce any kind of minimum standards and it’s very difficult to take the ability to rent away from a landlord if they’re consistently breaking the law.”
A renters’ perspective
Islington resident Calum, who rents in a house covered by the borough-wide additional licensing scheme has said:
“I’ve actually got quite a good landlord. He’s quite a reasonable man and usually sorts out any issues we have quite quickly.
Maybe that’s because the licensing scheme covers our house, I’m not sure, but I think it probably helps.
I think they should definitely expand the [selective-license] scheme, because there are probably loads of landlords in Islington who won’t follow the standards unless they have to.”
‘It comes across as a money making scheme’
City News also spoke to Helen, who rents out a property in Highbury, one of the wards where the selective licensing scheme has been proposed to be introduced.
“I’m irritated by the suggestion that I should be licensed to ensure standards are maintained, at a cost to me of £750 which is 50% of one month’s rental income.
I suspect many other small time landlords will be equally conscientious and equally irritated.
Islington Council provide little evidence that landlords like me are really the problem, so it comes across as a money making scheme.”
Rent caps?
In a recent YouGov survey, 74% of Londoners agreed that they would support ‘implementing a cap on the amount of rent that can be charged based on the location and quality of the property’.
15% of those surveyed were opposed to rent caps, with another 10% answering that they don’t know.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords after passing through the House of Commons, is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at improving the rights and protections of renters in England.
Frederick Gantz has said that Acorn have lobbied for the Bill and see it as a very positive step, however it misses out on affordability.
“It really falls short in the capping of the rent, the affordability, and I think that’s something that we’re really going to be pushing for, especially across London, where rents are so high and rising so quickly.
It’s something that we’re actually working with City Hall and the Mayor’s office on as well. Sadiq Khan has come out in favour of rent controls a number of times, and we really want to make sure that happens.
Whether that’s tied to income, whether that’s tied to area – just getting those rents back under control and making renting affordable again.”
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