HMO licensing in Westminster

Which licences a rented house needs in Westminster, and where. England. Checked 7 September 2026.

Westminster runs additional licensing and selective licensing on top of mandatory licensing.

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing

Extends HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) in a designated area.

StatusIn forceWherewhole boroughDesignated21 April 2026Ends30 August 2031

Renewed borough-wide Additional Licensing Scheme designated 2026-04-21, in effect 2026-08-31 to 2031-08-30; previous scheme licences remain valid until their expiry

Selective licensing

Every privately rented home in a designated area needs a licence, HMO or not.

StatusIn forceWherenamed wards: 15 of 18 wards (Abbey Road, Church Street, Harrow Road, Knightsbridge and Belgravia, Little Venice, Maida Vale, Queen's Park, Westbourne, Bayswater, Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate, Marylebone, Pimlico North, Regent's Park, West End); excluded: Pimlico South, St James', Vincent Square

Selective licensing applies from 2025-11-24 in two designations; no designation or end date on page

Council HMO page · HMO Article 4 in Westminster

Check an exact postcode for Article 4

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.

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Sources: Westminster council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.