Key Points
- New data shows 2,712 properties in Westminster are currently being investigated for unlawful short-term letting, as of 30 March 2026.
- The figure has been reported by London TV in a story published on 15 April 2026.
- Westminster City Council opened 499 new short-term letting investigations in 2025 over suspected breaches of the 90-night rule.
- The council issued notices to 22 properties in 2025, with a further 36 notices in draft for the same period.
- In 2024, Westminster opened 469 new investigations, and two properties were served notice.
- Other London boroughs are also taking action, including Tower Hamlets and Hounslow.
- A national registration scheme for short-term lets is expected to be introduced to help councils enforce the rules.
Westminster (Extra London News) April 17, 2026 – Westminster City Council is investigating 2,712 properties for unlawful short-term letting, according to new data reported by London TV. The story is focused on suspected breaches of the government’s 90-night rule, which limits how long a property can be rented out as a short-term let in a year.
As reported by London TV, the scale of the investigations shows how heavily Westminster has been affected by the growth of short-term rental platforms. The outlet said the latest figure, recorded as of 30 March 2026, has renewed pressure on enforcement and on wider plans to regulate the sector.
What did the council say about enforcement?
The data cited by London TV states that Westminster City Council opened 499 new short-term letting investigations in 2025, compared with 469 in 2024. It also said notices were issued to 22 properties in 2025, with another 36 notices in draft.
The same report said the issue is not confined to Westminster, with Tower Hamlets Borough Council investigating 24 properties in 2025 and finding 8 in breach of the 90-night rule. It added that Hounslow Borough Council recorded 10 properties in breach in 2025.
How does the 90-night rule work?
The 90-night rule is the legal limit that restricts how many nights a property can be let out on a short-term basis in London without planning permission. London TV’s report said councils are using investigations and notices to identify homes that may be exceeding that limit.
The article also said a registration scheme for short-term lets is being planned to help councils crack down on non-compliance and ease pressure on the housing market. It noted that the scheme is intended to give councils better tools to track whether properties are being used beyond the permitted number of nights.
What changes are expected next?
London TV reported that discussions are taking place over whether the property register will be rolled out gradually or introduced across England at the same time. It also said secondary legislation is due to go through Parliament to set out how the scheme will work in practice.
The report added that if the register includes a way to track the number of nights a property is used, councils would be better able to prove breaches and take enforcement action. It said a launch date for the registration scheme is expected to be announced this year, once the scheme has been finalised.
What is the wider housing context?
Earlier reporting has pointed to wider concern about short-term lets in Westminster and London more broadly. The Independent reported in May 2025 that approximately 2,400 of an estimated 10,500 rental properties in Westminster were then under investigation, while the borough was described as having one of the highest concentrations of short-term lets in the country.
The BBC also reported in May 2025 that unlawful renting of short-term lets was rising in London, with government being called on to act. That broader context helps explain why Westminster’s enforcement figures have continued to attract attention.
What is the background to this development?
The current investigation figures sit within a longer-running debate over how to balance tourism, landlord income and housing supply in central London. Westminster Council has previously argued that large numbers of homes are being turned into de facto holiday accommodation, while the government has discussed tighter controls and a national registration system.
Campaign and local reporting have also shown that enforcement has been a recurring issue for several years, with concern about anti-social behaviour, pressure on neighbours and the loss of homes from the long-term rental market. Westminster’s current figures suggest that the problem remains substantial despite ongoing scrutiny.
What could this mean for residents and landlords?
For residents, the development may mean stronger enforcement against properties used as frequent short-term lets, especially in blocks where neighbours have complained about disruption. For landlords, it could mean greater scrutiny, more paperwork and a higher risk of notices or action if they exceed the 90-night limit.
For the wider audience in Westminster, the likely effect is a push toward tighter compliance and clearer registration rules if the new scheme is introduced. If enforcement improves, councils may find it easier to identify unlawful lets, but landlords who rely on short-term rental income may need to change how they operate.
