Westminster City Council will significantly expand real estate licensing with an elective scheme covering 15 of the borough's 18 wards, meaning thousands of landlords will be required to license properties for rent.
The scheme applies to all private rental properties other than multiple occupations (HMO) homes already covered by existing mandatory and additional licensing schemes, says Councillor Matt Noble (pictured). 
Concerns are ignored
The Council ignored concerns raised by the Westminster Property Association during the consultation process. These included potential replicas of the Council's plans included potential replicas with the following national landlord registration scheme:
The association also warned that additional regulatory burdens could lead to landowners leaving the market and reducing the supply shortage of already rented properties.
The new scheme is another example of Westminster's aggressive approach to housing regulations, with labor management authority already pursuing policies that include attempts to direct 11,000 empty properties in the borough and banning real estate agencies' boards.
An elective licensing scheme is to support responsible landowners. ”
Noble said: “The selective licensing scheme is to support responsible landlords and ensure that all Westminster residents have access to safe, secure and well-maintained homes.”
Westminster has more than 6,700 private rental properties in the Borough, with serious risks. This includes 43% of real estate in the private rental sector.
Prices per real estate
Landowners are usually required to pay a fee of £995 per property, divided into two parts. However, there are various discounts, including 10% of certified landlords, 20% on EPC rating properties of B or above, and a £125 reduction in multiple lease shares within the same freehold.
And for those who refuse to comply, Westminster has an extensive track record of issuing heavy fines. According to its own records, it has provided around 1,369 statutory notices to landowners over the past five years, and has issued 49 penalties since implementing the HMO licensing scheme in 2021.
