Two selective areas sit alongside a renewed HMO scheme
Keep existing HMO licences and renewal dates separate
The 2026 notice says a valid licence issued under the previous additional scheme continues until its own expiry unless varied or revoked. The new designation does not automatically invalidate that licence. Check the licence document, holder, property and renewal deadline before submitting another application.
Selective fees have two payment stages
The current selective fee schedule lists £995 in total: £543 on application and £452 at grant. Accreditation, energy performance, qualifying charities and multiple leaseholds can affect the charge under specific criteria. The HMO route has its own fee rules; use the correct application schedule.
A converted building needs a property-specific review
The additional renewal excludes Section 257 buildings. That does not establish that individual rented flats are outside selective licensing. Record each unit’s occupation and consult Westminster about a flat, converted building or statutory exemption.
Which local scheme should I check?
Westminster selective licensing: designation 1
Westminster’s first selective designation covers eight mapped wards, with a common start and expiry alongside its separate second designation.
The map controls the area. Confirm the exact property and the current HMO route; the selective notice’s reference to the older HMO scheme does not replace the 2026 renewal notice.
Reviewed 2026-10-02 · Revision 1
Westminster selective licensing: designation 2
Westminster’s second selective designation covers seven mapped wards. Its legal area is separate from designation 1 despite their matching dates.
Ward labels alone do not establish a property match. The 2026 additional HMO renewal and statutory selective exemptions need separate checking.
Reviewed 2026-10-02 · Revision 1
Westminster additional HMO licensing: 2026 renewal
Westminster renewed borough-wide additional HMO licensing for qualifying shared homes with three or more people forming two or more households.
A valid licence from the previous scheme remains in force until its own expiry unless varied or revoked. Section 257 buildings, flats and unusual arrangements require council review.
Reviewed 2026-10-02 · Revision 1
Areas named in the reviewed designations
Area names help you find the relevant notice. They do not establish that a particular postcode, street or property is inside the boundary.
View the named areas (3)
- Designation 1: eight wards shown on the blue-edged legal map.
- Designation 2: seven wards shown on the red-edged legal map.
- Additional HMO renewal: the whole City of Westminster for qualifying HMOs.
Before relying on a property result
- Find the exact dwelling on the relevant selective designation map.
- For a shared house, establish people, households and shared amenities before choosing the HMO route.
- Record the actual property licence expiry separately from the scheme expiry.
Exclusions and separate checks
- Mandatory and additional licensable HMOs use the HMO route rather than a selective licence.
- Additional licensing excludes Section 257 buildings, Schedule 14 buildings, management orders and temporary exemptions as defined in the notice.
- Selective statutory tenancy exclusions require separate checking.
Questions about Westminster licensing
Does the HMO renewal mean I must replace a valid existing licence immediately?
The 2026 notice preserves previous licences until their individual expiry unless varied or revoked. Confirm the specific licence and renewal timetable with Westminster.
Is a selective licence required throughout Westminster?
The council specifies 15 wards through two mapped designations. The additional HMO scheme has borough-wide scope for its qualifying category. An address decision still needs the correct map and property details.