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Islington selective licensing: seven more wards from 23 November 2026
If you let a home in Barnsbury, Caledonian, Highbury, Junction, Laycock, Mildmay or Tufnell Park, you will need a licence from 23 November. Here is what changes, and the electrical report the council asks for.
Written by Michael Simm, Co-founder and Operations Director, SEGplc. Published 26 October 2026.
What is changing
Islington Council has designated seven more wards for selective licensing. From 23 November 2026, most privately rented homes in these wards need a licence from the council:
- Barnsbury
- Caledonian
- Highbury
- Junction
- Laycock
- Mildmay
- Tufnell Park
The designation was made on 21 August 2026 and runs until 22 November 2031, unless the council ends it sooner.
Three wards already have selective licensing: Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington, under a scheme that runs to 19 May 2029. That makes ten Islington wards in all. Separately, additional HMO licensing covers the whole borough until 31 January 2031.
The EICR the council asks for
Islington’s licensing checklist asks for an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) dated within the last five years and marked satisfactory.
- No EICR, or older than five years? Book one before you apply.
- EICR came back unsatisfactory? The remedial work needs doing first. We quote for it with the report and can do it with the same team, then give you the paperwork to show the installation is now satisfactory.
- Satisfactory and in date? You are ready on the electrical side. Keep a copy to upload with the application.
This sits on top of the national rule: privately rented homes in England need an EICR at least every five years, with remedial work done within 28 days.
What to do now
- Check whether your address is in one of the ten wards, using the council’s property licensing page.
- Find your current EICR and check its date and result.
- If you need a new one, book it now. Late November and December are busy, and the licence application needs it.
Sources
- London Borough of Islington, Designation of an area for selective licensing 2026 (public notice)
- Islington Council, Property licensing
- The Negotiator, Big central London council massively expands selective licensing (October 2025)
Licensing schemes change. Always check the council’s current rules for your property before you apply.
Need it done by a date?
Tell us the deadline. We’ll tell you honestly whether we can hit it — and we usually can.