Hundreds have taken part – have you? Don’t miss your chance to have your say.

Westminster City Council recently launched a consultation inviting tenants, landlords, property agents and anyone with experience or an interest in the private rented housing sector to have their say on the council’s proposals to introduce a new property licensing scheme in parts of the city.

The scheme, if approved, would apply to all private rented properties, excluding HMOs in 15 wards across the borough. It is known as selective licensing and will help support the council’s commitment to ensuring that all homes in Westminster are safe, in good condition and well managed, helping to create a fairer private rented housing sector.

Councillor Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters, said “The private rented housing sector continues to grow, and in Westminster, we have the largest private rented sector in the country.

“With the ongoing national housing crisis, an increased shortage of social housing and home ownership unobtainable for many, private rented housing is often the only viable option.

“We want to ensure that all private rented properties are operating legally and, above all else, safe.

“Before any decisions are made, we need the views of everyone in the borough, especially those that live in a private rented home.”

Westminster City Council is consulting about a licensing scheme which, if it is introduced, could come into effect late 2025. Before any decisions are made, the council must consider the feedback received through the consultation process. To date, the council have received numerous responses, but they are keen to hear from more people. Learning about the experiences and views of people living, working or studying near private rented homes is important to find out where change is needed. The council are also keen to hear from organisations that regularly work with anyone living in private rented housing, who have knowledge of the conditions that families and individuals living in the sector are experiencing.

The consultation runs until 19 January 2025, and everyone can share their views by visiting www.westminster.gov.uk/prs

Paper copies are available at libraries throughout the city and can be requested by emailing propertylicensing@westminster.gov.uk or calling 020 7641 6161

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Mandatory HMO licensing scheme has operated since 2006

• Additional HMO licensing scheme has operated since 2021

• 2,541 HMO licences issued

• More than 1,360 statutory notices issued

• More than 20,640 ASB incidents linked to the PRS recorded from 2019 – 2024

• More than 3,805 service requests received from 2019 – 2024

• The following actions were undertaken in 2023/24

o More than 1600 preliminary improvement notices served

o 1,369 formal notices served

o 49 Fixed Penalty Notices served

The above actions have resulted in serious hazards (category 1) in 278 private sector dwellings being identified and remediated

• Five landlords prosecuted for housing offences

• The council has five key pillars:

o Fairer Communities

o Fairer Housing

o Fairer Economy

o Fairer Environment

o Fairer Council

• More information about Westminster City Council’s existing licensing schemes for private landlords can be found here.

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