What you need to apply for a HMO licence

Who can apply for a property licence

You can apply if you are a UK resident or company based on the UK that is a:

• landlord
• managing agent (you must use a company email address when applying)
• third party

We will only consider an application from a non-UK resident or company not based in the UK if there is a managing agent based in the UK. They have to sign a declaration stating that they agree to the conditions and obligations of the licence.

Suitability to hold a licence

To get a property licence, you will need to demonstrate you are a ‘fit and proper’ person. This means that you are suitable to have the responsibility of being a licence holder. You will also have to a declare any criminal offences.

When we decide if an applicant is ‘fit and proper’, we look at evidence where the applicant has:

• committed fraud or other dishonest practices, charges of violence, drugs and certain sexual offences
• practised unlawful discrimination on the ground of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins or disability in connection with any business
• broken any housing or landlord law

The applicant must also be able to demonstrate that satisfactory management and financial arrangements are in place for each rented property. Failure to meet the fit and proper person test may result in an application for a licence being refused.

Licensing fees

You pay the licence fee is two parts: 

• Part A – paid when you apply, covering the cost of processing and assessing your application
• Part B – paid if we decide to grant the licence, covering the cost of administering, managing and enforcing the scheme

The fees are:

• mandatory HMO licence – £900 plus £100 for each bedroom
• additional HMO licence – £900 plus £100 for each bedroom
• S257 HMO licence (block of flats under single ownership) – £900 for the whole building
• selective licence – £850 for the whole property

Download the fees structure document for more detail (PDF).

Refunds

Fees are non-refundable once you submit an application. This includes cases where you later sell the property or stop letting it.

Discounts

You can get a discount if: 

• you are an accredited landlord and give us a valid accreditation certificate in your name from an approved accreditation body (£75 discount) 
• your property has an EPC rating of A, B or C (£50 discount)
• you are renewing a licence with no time gap between the old licence and the new one, for any of the council's property licensing schemes (£25 discount) 

If more than one discount applies to you, we will add the discounts together. For example, if you are an accredited landlord and are renewing a licence, you will get £100 off. 

All discounts are taken off the Part B payment.

Approved accreditation bodies

We accept:

• London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS)
• National Landlords Association (NRLA)
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 
• UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA)
• Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
• Safeagent
• PropertyMark
• ANUK
• regional equivalent schemes to LLAS, such as Greater Manchester and West Midlands

Length of licence

Licenses may be granted for a maximum of five years, but the council may issue a licence for a shorter amount of time. For example, if the council finds out that the property was operating without a licence beforehand, you could be issued a shorter licence. If your licence is issued for less than five years, we will explain why.

Create licencing account and apply

How to apply

To apply online for a property licence, you must set up a new landlord user account.

Information you need

You will need:

• names and addresses of person and organisations with an interest in the property
• room sizes (all rooms except bathrooms, toilets and hallways or landings)
• details of kitchens and bathrooms
• gas safety certificate (where the property has gas)
• electrical installation condition report (EICR)
• fire safety certificate (where there is a mains wired fire alarm system)
• fire risk assessment (for HMO only where there is no mains wired fire alarm system)
• emergency lighting certificate (where installed)
• full tenancy Agreement(s) including rent and deposit amounts
• floor plans
• energy performance certificate
• payment card details.
• PAT test certificate (where portable appliances that have been provided by the landlord/agent)
• Accredited Landlord certificate (if the licence holder has completed the training)

See our application checklist for more details.

If you don't provide all the information or required documents, your application may be rejected and you will have to pay again to reapply.

Filling in the form

• If you enter your property details correctly, the online application process will automatically calculate the type of property licence is required.
• The system will save your application as you progress through the application process, allowing you to review, update and load any documents that may be required.
• If you own multiple rented properties in Islington, you must complete an application for each property.
• It is a criminal offence to enter fraudulent property information and doing so can result in prosecution and an unlimited fine.

If you have a problem applying online, contact us on 020 7527 3205 or email us at property.licensing@islington.gov.uk.

Create account

Contact

Call us on 020 7527 3205 or email us at property.licensing@islington.gov.uk.