Westminster: landlord licensing
Westminster operates discretionary property licensing. Here is what is in force, what is coming, and how to check whether your property is affected.
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Active selective licensing
Selective licensing applies to ordinary private rented homes (not just HMOs) within a designated area.
Selective licensing
active15 of 18 wards (two designations)
- Dates
- 24 Nov 2025 – 23 Nov 2030
- Approx. fee
- £995 (Part A £543 + Part B £452)
- Wards / areas
- Abbey Road, Bayswater, Church Street, Harrow Road, Hyde Park, Knightsbridge & Belgravia, Lancaster Gate, Little Venice, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Pimlico North, Queen's Park, Regent's Park, West End, Westbourne
Active additional (HMO) licensing
Additional licensing extends HMO licensing to smaller shared houses (typically 3-4 sharers) that fall below the mandatory threshold.
Additional (HMO) licensing
activeBorough-wide (excl. certain s257 blocks); expires 30 Aug 2026, replaced next day by renewal
- Dates
- 30 Aug 2021 – 30 Aug 2026
- Approx. fee
- £1,540 base (+£68 per letting above five)
Upcoming schemes
Additional (HMO) licensing
upcomingRenewal covering all 18 wards, designated 21 Apr 2026, in force 31 Aug 2026
- Dates
- 31 Aug 2026 – 30 Aug 2031
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere)
Regardless of local schemes, any property in Westminster let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households, who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, needs a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004. Licences last up to 5 years and the fee is set by the council.
Penalties for operating unlicensed
- Civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026).
- Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, claimable by the tenant.
- Unlimited fine on criminal prosecution, plus possible banning order.
- Once the national PRS Database is live, unregistered landlords can be blocked from regaining possession.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Westminster?
Westminster operates 1 selective licensing scheme(s) and 1 additional (HMO) licensing scheme(s). Whether your specific property needs a licence depends on its exact location and how it is let, plus mandatory HMO licensing which applies England-wide to properties let to 5+ people in 2+ households.
What is the penalty for an unlicensed property in Westminster?
Operating a licensable property without a licence can lead to a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, an unlimited fine on prosecution, and a banning order for serious or repeat offenders.
Does your property need a licence?
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Data verified against council sources as of July 2026. PRSCheck is an information service, not legal advice. Many schemes are designated at street or part-ward level; confirm the exact boundary for your address with the council before relying on this page. Browse all councils.