All private landlords in four areas of Islington in north London – where the council claims there are particular problems with poor conditions – now have to pay the Labour authority following this week’s expansion of a local licensing regime.

Nearly a third of homes in Islington are privately rented, and the council says it is committed to “standing alongside private renters to make sure they have a safe place to call home.”

The new expanded scheme, which replaces a previous scheme covering only one area, means landlords who may not know about the scheme and have not signed up or meet licence conditions may face an unlimited fine or a criminal conviction. 

The council says the scheme “will help level the playing field for responsible landlords, making sure rogue landlords who save money by dodging maintenance and renting out low-quality homes are held to account.”

A spokesperson says: “Everyone in Islington should have a safe, decent and genuinely affordable place to call home. Private renters are under huge pressure, now more than ever, and we’re determined to stand alongside them. 

“While most of Islington’s landlords are responsible and take good care of people’s homes, we hear from hundreds of renters who don’t feel safe or listened to, while their rents go up and up. This new scheme will make sure they have the protection, and the homes, they deserve. 

“If you’re a landlord in Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise and you haven’t already signed up, make sure you apply now.” 

In an information campaign to private renters, the council says they can check whether their landlord has a licence via the council’s Landlord Licence Public Register.