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Westminster selective landlord licensing scheme starts this month

Friday, November 7th, 2025 - Westminster City Council

Westminster City Council is introducing a new selective licensing scheme for private rented homes that comes into force on 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 council 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.

The new selective licensing scheme comprises two designations. Designation 1 consists of eight wards that are experiencing high levels of poor housing conditions: Abbey Road, Church Street, Harrow Road, Knightsbridge and Belgravia, Little Venice, Maida Vale, Queen’s Park and Westbourne.

Designation 2 consists of seven wards that are experiencing high levels of poor housing conditions, combined with significant and persistent problems caused by anti-social behaviour linked to private rented homes: Bayswater, Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate, Marylebone, Pimlico North, Regent’s Park and West End.

The council have made clear that properties already licensed under Westminster’s mandatory HMO and additional licensing schemes are excluded from this new selective licensing scheme.

Some licensing fee discounts are available, including for properties managed by accredited landlords and managing agents, and properties with an EPC rating of A, B or C.

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.”

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.

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in Westminster is available here.