London Borough of Westminster

Westminster HMO licensing: what applies and what to submit

Westminster is covered by renewed additional HMO licensing. We supply the certificates Westminster’s licensing team typically asks to see — gas, electrical, fire safety and energy — from one visit, with reports usually issued within 24 hours.

Serving landlords, agents and property managers across Paddington, Pimlico, Victoria, Marylebone and the rest of Westminster.

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Which licence applies

Licensing schemes in Westminster

Licence	Applies to	Notes
Mandatory HMO licence	5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing facilities	National rule; applies in Westminster and does not expire.
Additional HMO licence	HMOs outside the mandatory scheme	Westminster has renewed its additional licensing scheme.

A property needs only one licence. The council decides which applies from the number of occupants and your location, but the fee is taken before the assessment, so check first. Send us your postcode and the number of people living there and we will tell you which one it is.

The application

Documents Westminster typically asks to see

Most London councils ask for the same core documents. Westminster may ask for more or fewer depending on the licence type, so check its current application form. We cover every item below from one appointment, so tenants are disturbed once.

Document	What it must show
Floor plan	Every floor level, room uses and room sizes in square metres
EICR	Electrical Installation Condition Report covering every circuit and consumer unit
Gas Safety (CP12)	Current certificate where the property has a gas supply
Fire alarm test certificate	Current test certificate for the installed detection system
Emergency lighting certificate	Where emergency lighting is fitted
Fire Risk Assessment	Written assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
EPC	Whole-building energy performance certificate

Pricing

Certificate packs for Westminster HMOs

Pack	Includes	From (up to 4 lettable rooms)
Licence Essentials	Gas Safety (CP12), EICR, EPC	£395
Full Licence Pack	Essentials plus Fire Risk Assessment, Legionella and PAT testing	£795
Complete Pack	Everything above plus an asbestos management survey of common parts	£995

Prices are confirmed in writing before any visit is booked. Larger Westminster properties are quoted on room count. Managing 3 or more properties? Ask about portfolio pricing.

Areas we cover

Where we work in Westminster

We attend properties across Paddington, Pimlico, Victoria, Marylebone, Maida Vale, Soho and the surrounding streets. Typical postcodes include W1, W2, W9, SW1, NW8.

Questions

Westminster HMO licensing FAQs

Do I need an HMO licence in Westminster?

If 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, yes — a mandatory licence applies in every English borough. Smaller HMOs of 3 or 4 people may also need an additional licence in Westminster.

Which certificates should I get first?

The gas safety certificate and EICR are the most commonly requested and the most likely to hold up an application if missing or out of date. We can supply all seven documents from one visit.

How long does it take?

We confirm a fixed quote and the earliest visit the same day, and reports are usually emailed within 24 hours of the visit, formatted to attach to Westminster’s application.

Do you submit the application for me?

No. We supply the documents; the licence application is made by the licence holder or their agent.

What happens if I do not licence?

Unlicensed HMOs can face civil penalties of up to £40,000 and Rent Repayment Orders of up to 24 months’ rent for offences committed from 1 May 2026, plus possible prosecution.

Reviewed 2 October 2026 against public council information. Licensing schemes and fees change — confirm current requirements with Westminster Council (westminster.gov.uk) before applying.