From November 24, 2025, most private landlords in Westminster will need a selective licence — and 72% risk falling foul of the rules. Here’s what’s changing, why the breach risk is so high, and how Yuno makes compliance simple from start to finish.
What’s Changing?
Westminster City Council is rolling out a new selective landlord licensing scheme covering 15 of the borough’s 18 wards. This extends licensing to all privately rented homes occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers, not just HMOs.
- Applications open: October 1, 2025
- Scheme starts: November 24, 2025
- Licence fee: £995 per property (discounts available for accredited landlords, energy-efficient homes, and multiple applications).
- Two designations:
- Designation 1: High levels of poor housing conditions
- Designation 2: Poor housing conditions + significant and persistent ASB
- Designation 1: High levels of poor housing conditions
Westminster Risk & Enforcement Table
Licensing Type | Wards Covered | Start Date | Estimated Risk Level | Key Message | Comparable Enforcement Evidence |
Selective Licensing – Designation 1 (Poor Housing Conditions) | Abbey Road, Bryanston & Dorset Square, Churchill, Harrow Road, Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate, Little Venice, Westbourne | 24 Nov 2025 | 🔴 68% high breach likelihood | High hazard rates (13–16% of PRS with serious hazards) + complex conditions mean most non-compliant landlords won’t realise until after enforcement starts. | Brent’s 2018–2023 selective scheme issued 1,030 fines in 5 years – breach rates above 60% in first year (Brent Council). |
Selective Licensing – Designation 2 (Poor Housing Conditions + ASB) | Bayswater, Church Street, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Queen’s Park, Regent’s Park, Tachbrook | 24 Nov 2025 | 🔴 72% very high breach likelihood | Adds repeat ASB enforcement risk (up to 389 repeat cases in one ward over 5 years). Conditions on waste, tenant checks, and ASB response are actively enforced. | Liverpool’s citywide 2020–2025 scheme saw over 70% of early inspections result in enforcement notices (Liverpool City Council). |
Existing Additional HMO Licensing (Boroughwide) | All 18 wards | Live since Aug 2021 | 🟠 42% medium breach likelihood | Still running in parallel — smaller HMOs already under scrutiny. Selective licensing adds a second layer for many landlords. | Camden issued 428 HMO offence penalties in 2022 alone (Camden Council). |
Important note: Risk percentages are Yuno estimates based on Westminster housing condition data (2024) and enforcement outcomes in comparable boroughs. Figures correct as of August 2025.
Why These Risks Are Real
Westminster’s own evidence shows:
- 6,764 PRS properties likely have at least one serious housing hazard.
- 3,956 PRS properties linked to repeat ASB incidents over the past five years.
- Hazard and ASB rates here are well above national averages.
- Enforcement in similar London boroughs (Brent, Camden, Newham) has shown 60–75% of inspected properties in breach in the first year of new schemes.
In short — if you’re not proactively checking compliance before the scheme starts, you’re gambling on avoiding a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or prosecution.
What Every Licensing Strategy Should Include
A good licensing approach isn’t reactive, it’s strategic. We help you plan ahead to avoid enforcement notices, fines, and missed rental income. Our support includes:
1. Portfolio Risk Scans
Integrated to CRMs and other tech partners through API. For agents, managers or portfolio landlords, we bulk-scan your property list for licensing or planning issues — and flag risks before they become liabilities.
2. Licensing Checks & Applications
We identify which licences your properties need — and handle the applications for you. No copy-pasting. Everything is tailored, correct, and submitted on your behalf.
3. Planning Review & Assessments
We assess planning constraints too, giving you visibility before you buy, let, or convert. Avoid costly planning breaches.
4. Council Liaison & Evidence Packs
We deal directly with local authorities, submit compliance evidence, and keep you updated with real-time progress.
5. Renewals & Notifications : Never miss a renewal again.
We monitor expiry dates and prompt you before action is needed — integrated into our Yuno platform.
6. Exemptions, Temporary Relief & Support for Appeals
If things go wrong or you inherit a problem, we help you file temporary exemption notices (TENs), gather supporting documentation, and advise on enforcement responses.
