Westminster City Council is implementing a new selective licensing scheme for privately rented homes to raise housing standards for tenants.
The new scheme, set to cover 15 of the council’s 18 wards, will apply to all privately rented properties, excluding HMOs that are already covered under existing mandatory and additional licensing schemes.
This move is aimed at bringing substandard properties up to acceptable living standards by targeting rogue landlords.
Westminster City Council undertook a statutory consultation process before approving the scheme.
The council commissioned Cadence Innova, an independent consultancy with expertise in public sector engagement, to carry out a series of consultation activities.
These included outreach with landlords, tenants, residents, and other key stakeholders.
Cadence Innova has independently reviewed and reported on the responses and findings from the consultation.
The Council said the decision to proceed with the scheme followed careful consideration of the consultation results and a detailed evidence base, highlighting the need for intervention in areas where housing conditions and anti-social behaviour remained problematic.
Councillor Matt Noble, cabinet member for regeneration and renters, commented: “The selective licensing scheme is about supporting responsible landlords and ensuring that every resident in Westminster has access to safe, secure, and well-maintained housing.
“We’re focused on improving living conditions, not only to protect tenants, but also to support landlords who do the right thing.”
