Islington Licence Renewal and Variation Process

When to Renew

Standard Islington property licences run for five years. The council does not send reminder notices before expiry — tracking the date is entirely the landlord's responsibility.

The critical rule: submit a valid renewal application before the current licence expires. A lapse creates exposure to civil penalties unless a new application is validly submitted. For qualifying offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, a rent repayment order can cover up to 24 months of gross rent.

Filing on time also qualifies you for the £25 continuous renewal discount on Part B. A saved draft does not count as a legally made application.

How Renewal Works

Renewals go through the same online portal at propertylicensing.islington.gov.uk, using your existing account. The process mirrors a new application:

1. Start a renewal application linked to your existing licence
2. Update property details if anything has changed (occupancy, layout, management arrangements)
3. Upload fresh safety certificates — keep the Gas Safety Certificate, EICR, and EPC current, and include an FRA where required
4. Pay Part A
5. Wait for assessment and Part B invoice

When a licensing scheme itself expires and a successor scheme starts (as happened with the additional HMO scheme renewing in February 2026), licences granted under the old scheme remain valid until their individual expiry dates. But you must re-apply under the new scheme before your current licence runs out.

When to Apply for a Variation

A licence variation is needed when property circumstances change during the five-year term. The three most common triggers:

Structural alterations that change the internal floor plan — knocking through walls, converting rooms, adding or removing kitchens or bathrooms.

Changes in maximum permitted occupancy — if you want to let additional bedrooms or reduce the number of lettings.

Changes to managing agent details — if you switch property managers or update contact information.

Variations are applied for through the portal. The council assesses whether the changes affect licence conditions, room sizes, or fire safety arrangements.

What a Variation Cannot Do

A variation cannot change the named licence holder. If property ownership transfers — through sale, inheritance, or a change in corporate control — the existing licence terminates automatically. The new owner must submit a fresh application from scratch before letting the property.

This is one of the most overlooked rules. Property licences don't run with the land. A buyer inheriting a property mid-tenancy has no licence from the moment the sale completes.

Tenant Changes

If the licence specifies maximum occupancy numbers, a change in tenants can affect compliance. Adding an occupant might change the required licence category or exceed the permitted occupancy.

Check the licence conditions and council portal when occupancy changes. If the maximum permitted occupancy or bedroom count needs to change, apply for a variation.

The Islington Landlord Licensing Guide includes a renewal and variation checklist with deadline tracking.

See more England guides →