Renters in Clerkenwell could expect better-quality housing, as Islington Council expands a scheme which will ensure private landlords are providing safe, high-quality housing for tenants.
The council announced in late October that the Selective Licensing Scheme, which currently covers Islington wards Finsbury Park, Hillrise and Tollington, will expand to a further seven wards.
According to the council, landlords failing to meet quality conditions could face fines or criminal convictions.
Adam Stone and Charles Peerless, estate agents at Winkworth in Clerkenwell, said this was a positive move that was being tried and tested with success in other boroughs.
Mr Peerless said: “The biggest improvement is PAT tests [portable appliance testing] …one of the most notable examples of why this is important is the Grenfell Tower fire, which was started by a faulty fridge.”
PAT testing ensures appliances such as “your fridge, freezer, television, anything that’s portable are safe to use and it’s not going to hurt anybody,” said Mr Stone.
Both Mr Peerless and Mr Stone assured that the extra licensing would not impact rent prices.
Mr Stone said: “I think if anything, you’ll get more people looking to rent because tenants will feel more secure that there’s a licence in place and the landlord’s registered properly.”
The council said that more than a third of Islington homes are privately rented.
Mr Stone said: “If we take on a property that’s not in the greatest condition, we will tell that landlord to bring it up to a certain condition. But that’s not saying that there are other [private] landlords out there whose properties are not up to scratch.”
Islington Council has previously said that the earliest the new scheme may come into effect is January 2026.
