More resource is being put into combating what a Labour council calls “the abuse of short term lets properties and noise nuisance” across the Westminster area of central London. 

A council team which apparently 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.

A council spokesperson says: “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 claims to have 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 claim 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 2,600 properties allegedly being used unlawfully for short let purposes. 

It says 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.

The spokesperson adds: “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.”