Westminster council is investigating over 2,600 properties amid rising complaints about wild parties, brothels, and rubbish dumping.
London: So, Westminster is really cracking down on short-term rentals. They’re looking into over 2,600 properties because of complaints about wild parties and rubbish being dumped everywhere.
The council has ramped up its investigation team since they’ve been getting more and more complaints. It’s a big deal, especially since Westminster has the most short-term lets in the UK, around 13,000!
It’s gotten to the point where some residential blocks feel like hotels. You know, places like Park West have more rooms available for rent than the Ritz! Crazy, right?
Adam Hug, the council leader, mentioned that these illegal rentals can really mess with the neighborhood vibe. Noise and anti-social behavior are big issues, and they’re trying to tackle it head-on.
They’re doubling the size of their enforcement team to deal with this mess. The team will be on the lookout for signs like key boxes outside properties and regular cleaners showing up.
In London, if you want to rent out your place as a holiday let for more than 90 nights a year, you need planning permission. But it seems like some landlords are finding ways around that.
Airbnb claims that most properties on their site are rented out just a few nights a month, and they’re working with local authorities to catch rule-breakers. But with so many other rental sites out there, it’s tough to keep track.
The government has promised a national register for short-term lets, which should help councils manage the situation better. Let’s see how that goes!
