Published:
03 November 2025
Westminster City Council is set to introduce a new Selective Licensing Scheme for private rented properties, starting Monday 24 November 2025. The scheme aims to improve housing standards, protect tenants, and support responsible landlords across designated areas of the city.
Under the new scheme, landlords operating in 15 of Westminster’s 18 wards will be required to obtain a licence for each privately rented property they manage. The initiative follows extensive consultation with residents, landlords, and stakeholders, and is part of the council’s wider commitment to tackling poor housing conditions and supporting safe, well-managed homes.
Councillor Ellie Ormsby, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renter, said:
“Everyone deserves a decent, safe place to live. This scheme will help us raise standards in the private rented sector, crack down on rogue landlords, and ensure tenants are treated fairly. We’re working closely with landlords to support compliance and make the process as smooth as possible.”
The scheme will apply to properties in areas identified as having high levels of privately rented homes, anti-social behaviour, and poor housing conditions. Westminster started accepting licence applications on 1 October 2025, and landlords are encouraged to apply for a licence before the scheme goes live to avoid enforcement action.
For full details of the scheme and information-sharing events, including how to apply and which areas are covered, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/selective-licensing
For further comment contact: mediateam@westminster.gov.uk or 0207 641 2259
NOTES TO EDITORS
- A Mandatory HMO licensing scheme has operated since 2006
- The Additional HMO licensing scheme has operated since 2021
- Designation 1 consists of eight wards experiencing high levels of poor housing conditions
- Abbey Road
- Church Street
- Harrow Road
- Knightsbridge and Belgravia
- Little Venice
- Maida Vale
- Queen’s Park
- Westbourne
- Designation 2 consists of seven wards experiencing high levels of poor housing conditions, in addition to significant and persistent problems caused by anti-social behaviour linked to private rented housing
- Bayswater
- Hyde Park
- Lancaster Gate
- Marylebone
- Pimlico North
- Regent’s Park
- West End
- The selective licensing scheme excludes properties that are already licensed under Westminster’s existing HMO schemes
- Incentives and discounts will apply to landlords or well managed properties including accredited landlords and energy efficient properties
- The council has five key pillars:
- Fairer Communities
- Fairer Housing
- Fairer Economy
- Fairer Environment
- Fairer Council
- More information about Westminster City Council’s existing licensing schemes for private landlords can be found here.