News

Islington Council launch additional landlord licensing scheme

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015 -

In response to concerns about poor management standards in shared accommodation and converted buildings, Islington Council has introduced an additional licensing scheme covering Caledonian Road and Holloway Road.

The licensing scheme, which came into force on 1 September 2015, requires landlords to obtain a property licence for all houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) located on these two streets. The scheme will run for five years until 31 August 2020.

The licensing scheme applies to shared accommodation and also to certain converted buildings that do not meet modern building standards (1991 or later), where less than two thirds of the flats are owner occupied.

A separate licence application is needed for each property and the council expect to receive about 700 applications. Council officers will inspect every property as part of the application process.

The fee for a 5-year licence is £260 per letting, so that would be £1,300 for a 5-bed HMO. The fee is reduced to £220 per letting for members of the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme, which saves £200 when licensing a 5-bed HMO.

Whilst Islington Council are allowing landlords until December 2015 to submit their licence application, landlords operating licensable but unlicensed HMOs face a more immediate sanction.

Richard Tacagni, Managing Director of London Property Licensing warns: “Try to evict your tenant and could come unstuck as a section 21 notice of seeking possession will be invalid until a property licence application has been submitted. That’s why it is important for landlords and letting agents to act now“.

Landlords who fail to submit applications by December 2015 could also face prosecution by the council and the risk of a hefty fine.

For further information about property licensing in Islington, visit www.londonpropertylicensing.co.uk/islington.