Council announces expansion of teams to crack down on short term lets abuse and noise nuisance
- Short term lets enforcement team to double in size
- Anti-noise team to expand
- New six-strong anti-ASB team to tackle nuisance across Westminster
More resource is being put into combating the abuse of short term lets properties and noise nuisance across Westminster, Council leader Adam Hug has announced.
The full meeting of Westminster City Council held last night (Wednesday January 22nd) was told that the team which cracks down on property owners who break the 90-night rule on short term stays in properties is doubling in size with an extra two dedicated officers.
Cllr Hug said:
Illegal and poorly managed short-term lets can make Westminster residents miserable with anti-social behaviour and noise issues. Which is why we got to grips with the short-term-lets enforcement team we inherited, to crack down on illegal nightly lettings and resolve cases faster.
“ The short-term lets team works with our Empty Homes Officer, City Inspectors and Environmental Health teams to take a whole council approach to enforcement. And I’m delighted to announce that we are now doubling the size of the short-term lets team we inherited, while the Government makes long-overdue progress on regulating the sector that should come to fruition in the months to come.”
Westminster has the highest number of short term lets in the country – around 13,000 – and the number has continued to climb since the end of the pandemic. Council officials warn entire residential blocks are now effectively virtual hotels with most of the rooms for rent on popular short term stay platforms. One residential block in Westminster rented more rooms than the Ritz on a nightly basis.
The Council is currently investigating over 2600 properties allegedly being used unlawfully for short let purposes. One headache for residents is the fact that rowdy parties create disturbance and frequently leave a mess which the council taxpayer of Westminster then has to subsidise.
Cllr Hug told the full council meeting that there would be more resource for the council’s noise team, which investigates and takes action on loud music, parties and other events which disrupt life for local people.
The Council leader said:
Our reformed noise team has dramatically improved its ability to investigate and resolve issues, which is why I’m delighted to announce that our upcoming budget will fund a 20 per cent expansion in the noise team to help more people have a good night’s sleep.”
“Anti-social behaviour isn’t just about enforcement. It’s about creating a society where vulnerable people aren’t left to fall through the cracks, and where communities have the tools and resources they need to thrive. This administration will continue to work with commitment and creativity to address the curse of anti-social behaviour across our city.”
Members were told a new six-strong Street Based Intervention team, announced last week, will also play a key role in targeted operations on street based ASB, first in Victoria and then more broadly across Westminster.
Published: 23 January 2025