London councils crack down on illegal short-term holiday rentals
The investigations are looking into breaches of the 90-night rule, which states that properties can only be short-term let for 90 days of every calendar year. The rule is meant to reduce issues with excessive noise and refuse that are associated with short-term letting.
Landlords are required to get permission from their local council to surpass the 90-night limit. However, it is hard to prove when breaches of the rule have occurred.
The Westminster City Council conducted 499 similar 90-night rule investigations in 2025. 22 pertaining notices were issued to properties in that period with another 36 in draft. 469 properties were investigated in 2024 with 2 notices issued.
Other London districts, such as Tower Hamlets and Hounslow Borough, also observed breaches of the rule in 2025, with the former finding 8 of 24 investigated properties to be in violation and the latter identifying 10 offending properties.
A plan has been submitted to Parliament that will force landlords in England to register for short-term letting in a way that will make it easier to track adherence to the 90-night rule.
"Losing a vast number of homes to short-term lets is a significant problem nationally and particularly in London," said Jonny Christie, co-founder of The Property Buying Company. "It's encouraging to see that discussions are in place to take steps to tackle the issue with a short-term let property register. A launch date for the registration scheme is expected to be announced this year, once the scheme has been finalised."
The decision of whether to gradually or simultaneously implement the register is currently under discussion.
Highlights:
- 2,712 properties are currently being investigated by Westminster City Council for unlawful short-term letting (As of 30th March 2026).
- In 2025, Westminster City Council opened 499 new short-term letting investigations for suspected breach of the 90-night rule.
- In the same period, 22 properties under Westminster City Council were issued notices, with a further 36 in draft.
- It's currently difficult for councils to enforce the 90-night rule as it can't be easily proven that a breach has occurred.
- To help councils better track short-term lets and to enforce the 90-night rule more effectively, discussions are taking place regarding a short-term let property register, with a launch date expected to be announced this year.
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