Have Your Say: Drop-In Sessions on the Renewal of Westminster’s Additional HMO Licensing Scheme

Westminster City Council is inviting landlords, managing agents, tenants, and residents to attend a series of upcoming drop-in sessions to share their views on the proposed renewal of the Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The current scheme, introduced in August 2021, is set to end in August 2026. Renewal for a further five years would continue to apply borough-wide and cover:

• Smaller HMOs occupied by three or four unrelated individuals forming two or more households.

• All HMOs in purpose-built blocks of flats, regardless of occupancy level.

These sessions are an opportunity to speak directly with Council officers, ask questions, and provide feedback on how the scheme is working and how it could be improved. The team will also be on hand to answer wider questions in relation to private sector housing, including the upcoming selective licensing scheme. 

Upcoming Drop-In Sessions

• Marylebone Library
  📅 Thursday 25 September 2025
  🕚 11:00am – 12:30pm
  📍 9–27 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 9TZ

• St John’s Wood Library
  📅 Wednesday 8 October 2025
  🕑 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  📍 13–19 Circus Road, London, NW8 6NX

• Charing Cross Library
  📅 Wednesday 15 October 2025
  🕦 11:30am – 1:30pm
  📍 6 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EP

• Maida Vale Library
  📅 Thursday 23 October 2025
  🕑 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  📍 Sutherland Avenue, London, W9 2QT

• Pimlico Library
  📅 Thursday 30 October 2025
  🕦 11:30am – 1:30pm
  📍 Lupus Street, London, SW1V 3AT

• Maida Vale Library (Second Session)
  📅 Thursday 6 November 2025
  🕑 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  📍 Sutherland Avenue, London, W9 2QT

• Victoria Library
  📅 Friday 7 November 2025
  🕚 11:00am – 1:00pm
  📍 160 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9UD

Why Your Feedback Matters

Findings from the current scheme show that 50% of inspected HMOs contained at least one housing hazard, and more than 1,700 properties are still thought to be operating without a licence. Your input will help shape the future of the scheme to further improve housing standards, tackle hazards, and reduce anti-social behaviour linked to poorly managed HMOs.

Have your say today - respond to the survey

The consultation will run until 12 November 2025.