Westminster Council holding consultation on changes to rent licenses

Westminster Council is holding a consultation on changes to rent licenses until January 2025. The consultation is on proposals introducing a selected licensing scheme for landlords to improve the quality of housing available within the areas of borough.

The Council is proposing creating checks for landlords to ensure they are “fit and proper people”, creating points of contact which tenants could contact to help with issues, and reduce the time it takes for problems with rented accommodation to be fixed.

Westminster Council operates in the areas of Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate, Bayswater, and Westbourne, as well as areas in central London such as Knightsbridge and Belgravia, Marylebone, Pimlico, and the West End. Private rented sector occupations increased in Westminster Council areas by 22% between 2011 and 2024.

The consultation period will end on Sunday 19th January. If approved, the proposed scheme would be implemented in early 2026, and will cover more than 20% of privately rented housing in the area.