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Short-term lets

Find out about the rules and regulation governing short-term (or nightly) letting.

A short-term let (frequently referred to as ‘nightly letting’) is the use of any residential premises as temporary sleeping accommodation.  Short-term lets are frequently booked online via a short-let website such as Airbnb.com or Booking.com. The guest is generally a tourist or business traveller, often with expectations of hotel-like service

Freeholders, leaseholders and tenants (with permission from landlords) can legally rent their homes on this basis for up to 90 nights a year in Westminster without planning permission unless it is council-leased property. The properties must meet certain standards and,  like all properties, they cannot cause excessive disruption to their neighbours. It is the responsibility of the person short-letting, not the guests, to ensure that their properties do not cause excessive disruption to neighbouring residents, by way of noise, anti-social behaviour or waste.

We know that most homeowners who let on a nightly basis do so within the law, maintain excellent standards and play a role in Central London’s tourist economy. This kind of accommodation, when managed properly, benefits hosts wanting to let empty properties and guests looking for an authentic experience in our vibrant city.  However, we also know short-term letting can cause problems for our residents when guests make excessive noise, keep unsociable hours or dump their rubbish.

Our short-term let team will investigate any properties that are reported for suspected breach of the 90-night calendar limit or that cause excessive disruption and problems within communities

Published: 17 December 2020

Last updated: 11 March 2024