Do I need an HMO licence in Westminster?

Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Westminster runs 2 additional or selective schemes that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address.

Which property licensing schemes are active in Westminster?

Westminster has 2 schemes in force on our register: Westminster Selective Licensing Scheme (15 wards) (from November 2025); Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme Renewal 2026–2031 (from 31 August 2026). Each can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.

How many tenants make a property an HMO in Westminster?

The national test is the same across England: 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet need a mandatory licence. Westminster's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.

What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Westminster?

Letting an unlicensed HMO in Westminster can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

How much is an HMO licence in Westminster?

Westminster City Council charges £1,540 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.

Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Westminster?

HMO licence applications in Westminster are handled by Westminster City Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Westminster HMO licensing guide

Westminster HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Westminster if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Westminster's 2 licensing schemes can also cover smaller lets (details below). Westminster City Council's standard fee is £1,540 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to Westminster City Council using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Westminster?

England runs three separate regimes. More than one can apply to the same property.

Mandatory HMO licenceExplained on this page5 or more occupants from 2+ households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toiletApplies everywhere in England
Additional HMO licensingSmaller HMOs the national rules miss — council-designatedIn force in Westminster
Selective licensingANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsIn force in Westminster · See selective licensing in Westminster

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Westminster announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 22 October 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

SelectiveEffective: November 2025

Westminster Selective Licensing Scheme (15 wards)

Borough-wide selective licensing covering 15 of 18 wards for privately rented homes, live since Nov 2025. Flat fee £995.

Read the original announcement →

Additional HMOEffective: 31 August 2026

Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme Renewal 2026–2031

Westminster renewed its borough-wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme following a Cabinet decision on 16 March 2026 and a formal designation on 21 April 2026. The scheme comes into effect on 31 August 2026 and runs until 30 August 2031, covering all HMOs not subject to mandatory licensing.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Westminster-specific scheme, you also need to comply with the national mandatory HMO licensing rules under the Housing Act 2004:

5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet → mandatory HMO licence required.
A household = single person, couple, or family unit. Unrelated sharers each count as a separate household.
Letting an unlicensed HMO can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 (up from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026) or prosecution, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

Run the free HMO checker

Licence fee: £1,540 for a first mandatory HMO licence (5-bedroom, 5-person HMO, standard fee) — council source, checked 14 October 2026. Compare HMO licence fees across 71 councils

Manage the HMO in RentFig — rooms, licensing checks, certificates.

HMO licensing in Westminster — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Westminster?: Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Westminster runs 2 additional or selective schemes that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address.
Which property licensing schemes are active in Westminster?: Westminster has 2 schemes in force on our register: Westminster Selective Licensing Scheme (15 wards) (from November 2025); Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme Renewal 2026–2031 (from 31 August 2026). Each can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules. Check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Westminster?: The national test is the same across England: 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet need a mandatory licence. Westminster's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Westminster?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in Westminster can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).
How much is an HMO licence in Westminster?: Westminster City Council charges £1,540 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.
Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Westminster?: HMO licence applications in Westminster are handled by Westminster City Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Westminster HMO?

Licensed HMOs mean more tenants to vet. Start with RentFig's free tenant credit check form — free, no account needed — then run tenant referencing from £9 per tenant: a credit check, or a £19 full reference with Right to Rent. Pay per check, no subscription.

Stay on top of HMO compliance with RentFig

RentFig tracks every HMO licence renewal alongside gas safety, EICR, EPC, fire alarm tests and right-to-rent checks. Email reminders, audit trail, AI assistant on WhatsApp. Free for one property.

Start free See features

HMO licensing in other councils

Compare Westminster with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Westminster schemes and the Housing Act 2004 standard test. It is not legal advice. Council schemes change frequently — always confirm the current position with Westminster City Council before letting or applying for a licence.