Illegal short-term lets and rentals are harming Westminster's communities, with Labour failing to enforce regulations and provide adequate resources at both local and national levels. Westminster Council's Conservative Opposition Leader, Cllr Paul Swaddle, is today calling for more decisive action from the council and from the government to stop rogue landlords and protect residents.
"Illegal short-term lets are damaging our communities, and Labour are failing us at every level.
"Short-term lets are exploding across Westminster, and residents are suffering the consequences. We’ve all seen the impact - dumped rubbish, noisy late-night parties, and a constant stream of strangers eroding the community spirit that makes Westminster such a special place to live.
"The law is clear: private properties can only be let for up to 90 nights a year, and Council-owned properties cannot be sublet at all.
"Yet too many rogue landlords are ignoring these rules, making a fortune while people pay the price.
"But Labour’s response both locally and nationally has been shameful in its complacency.
"At a time when stronger public enforcement is needed, Labour-led Westminster City Council has chosen to cut budgets and shrink their teams to the bone. At one point, just two officers were left to cover the entire city, despite more than 2,000 open cases of suspected illegal lets. This isn’t the fault of hardworking staff - it’s a political decision by a Labour Council that has chosen vanity projects over protecting people.
"At City Hall, Sadiq Khan has turned a blind eye.
"Khan’s repeated claims to support local communities are all talk, no action. He has failed to use his influence or powers to demand proper enforcement and support London boroughs in tackling this issue. Instead, his City Hall continues to sit on its hands while Londoners deal with the consequences of higher rents, lost homes, and disrupted neighbourhoods.
"And in Downing Street, Labour’s failure is even starker.
"The previous Conservative Government passed legislation for a national registration scheme to help councils like ours crack down on rogue landlords. But over a year later, Labour Ministers have still not implemented it. They’ve dithered, delayed, and ignored the growing anger of people while illegal short-term lets continue to hollow out our neighbourhoods and drive-up housing costs.
"That’s why I've written to the new Minister for Tourism, Stephanie Peacock MP, urging her to act swiftly and work with councillors of all parties to deliver a proper enforcement scheme.
"People deserve better than a Government that talks tough but does nothing.
"Our message is simple:
• Stop rogue landlords profiting from illegal lets
• Give councils the powers and resources they need
• Protect our communities and long-term residents"If the Conservatives are elected to lead Westminster again in 2026, I pledge to make this issue a top priority by continuing to press Labour in Government and Sadiq Khan until they finally deliver the action people were promised.
"You can help by backing our campaign to make Westminster Council enforce existing laws and to force the Government to stop dragging its feet. Click below to back our campaign against illegal short-term lets."
