The new leader of London’s Westminster council – which the Conservatives won back from Labour in last month’s local elections – is renewing his predecessor’s attack on short lets. 

Paul Swaddle, in a letter seen by The Times newspaper, wants Airbnb and other short let platforms to help end what he calls the “unlawful” letting of properties, including council-owned homes.

The letter suggests there are 13,000 short-lets in Westminster alone, including over 10,000 whole properties.

Some 2,700 are estimated to be let for over the London limit of 90 days a year.

Swaddle says that “for far too long the people of Westminster have had to live with blatant disregard” for the cap and that platforms do not take responsibility for the problems caused by “dumped rubbish and noisy parties.”

In particular he wants the removal of council-owned properties from platforms as they are “ineligible to be short-let as per the terms of their leases.”

The Westminster Council chief is also asking borough councils to track and share with others the number of nights properties are let to help enforce regulations.