THE council has taken aim at “rogue landlords” with a new licensing scheme for property owners.

All Islington landlords renting out houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), where three or more tenants are not family, will now have to pay around £280 to be licensed and show they are keeping their properties up to scratch.

Meanwhile, in Finsbury Park a licensing scheme is being rolled out for all landlords, no matter how many tenants are in the property, as the area is seen as a hotspot for poor housing conditions.

Housing chief Cllr Diarmaid Ward said: “We’ve taken significant enforcement action in recent years against landlords and lettings agents who don’t treat private renters fairly and we will continue to stand up for our residents.”