Westminster Landlord Licensing 2025 – What You Must Do Before 24 November 2025
From 24 November 2025, most Westminster landlords must hold a licence to avoid penalties of up to £30,000 – this guide explains what’s changing and what you need to do now.
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Landlords in 15 wards* are affected.
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Enforcement begins 24 November 2025
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Applications open 1 October 2025.
Affected Areas:
- Designation 1 wards include: Abbey Road; Church Street; Harrow Road; Knightsbridge & Belgravia; Little Venice; Maida Vale; Queen’s Park; Westbourne
- Designation 2 wards include: Bayswater; Hyde Park; Lancaster Gate; Marylebone; Pimlico North; Regent’s Park; West End
(Source: Westminster.gov.uk Licensing FAQs)
At a Glance: What’s Coming
Date | Change | What Landlords Need to Know & Do |
1 Oct 2025 | Selective Licence Applications Open | Apply early to avoid last-minute delays. |
24 Nov 2025 | Selective Licensing Enforcement Begins | Licences must be held for most private lets in 15 wards |
From 24 Nov 2025 | Targeted Inspections Begin | Councils will focus on high-risk properties |
Late 2025 | Backlogs Expected | Apply early to avoid missing deadlines and risk enforcement |
30 Aug 2021 – 30 Aug 2026 | Additional HMO Licensing In Effect | Covers HMO’s with 3+ sharers across the borough. Renewal consultation ongoing |
Ongoing | Mandatory HMO Licensing | Applies to all HMOs with 5+ sharers |
National | EPC / MEES Rules Apply | EPC ratings below E may lead to fines, even without a local enforcement scheme |
What Westminster Landlords Need to Know
Westminster Council will introduce a Selective Licensing scheme affecting 15 wards. From 24 November 2025, most non-HMO private rentals will require a licence.
- Applications open: 1 October 2025
- Fee: £995 per property (split in two parts)
- Applies to single lets, studios, and smaller sharer homes
Meanwhile:
- Additional HMO Licensing remains live across the borough (3+ sharers)
- Mandatory HMO Licensing continues to apply to HMOs with 5+ tenants
- There is no Article 4 restriction affecting HMO conversions
Enforcement & Penalties
Landlords who ignore these licensing rules – especially after 24 November 2025 – face serious consequences::
- 💷 Fines up to £30,000 per offence
- 📉 Rent Repayment Orders (up to 12 months’ rent)
- 📣 Rogue Landlord Database listings
- ⚖️ Prosecution for non-compliance
(Source: Council FAQ)
“We didn’t realise our flat in Maida Vale needed a Selective Licence – luckily we got advice in time.” – Private landlord, NW6
Stay Ahead—How to Comply
✔ Use the Ward Finder to check if your property is affected
✔ Apply from 1 October 2025 — don’t delay
✔ Ensure key documents are ready: gas safety, EPC, tenancy agreement, fire safety, etc
✔ Confirm your HMO licensing status (Additional vs. Mandatory)
✔ Save proof of application submission — even pending apps must be documented
FAQ’s
- Which properties are included in Selective Licensing?
Any rented property that is not already licensed as an HMO in the 15 designated wards.
- What happens if I apply late?
You could face enforcement even if your application is in progress.
- What documents do I need?
Proof of gas safety, EPC, tenancy agreement, and fire safety checks.
Don’t wait for enforcement—take action now!
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.
