Politics
Kensington and Chelsea Short-Term Lets Licensing Policy Requires Registration for Notting Hill Hosts
Notting Hill property owners listing homes on short-term platforms must register with the council by the end of July, following rules that set tighter limits on rental days than those applied in Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham.
How we reported this
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea began enforcing its short-term lets licensing policy on 1 July 2026. Hosts in Notting Hill who offer properties for periods under 90 days now need a licence from the council before accepting bookings. The change applies to flats and houses across the W11 and W10 postcodes that fall inside the borough boundary.
Council documents released in May 2026 state the scheme responds to resident complaints about noise and reduced long-term housing stock. The policy sets a maximum of 60 rental days per year for each licensed property unless the owner lives on site. This cap is lower than the 90-day allowance still in place in the City of Westminster and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Daily effects for Notting Hill households
Residents who occasionally rent out a spare room will now file an online application and pay a £450 fee every three years. Those who exceed the day limit face fines starting at £5,000. Local estate agents report that several Notting Hill landlords have already withdrawn listings from platforms while they complete paperwork. Tenants in the area may see fewer short-term visitors on their streets during peak summer months.
Policy analysts note the licensing database will be shared with the Greater London Authority. This allows cross-borough checks on hosts who list properties in multiple areas. Notting Hill residents seeking to complain about unlicensed lets can now use a dedicated council hotline rather than contacting the platform directly.
Next steps and enforcement timeline
The council plans to begin spot checks on properties in Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road from September 2026. Landlords who fail to register by the deadline will receive warning letters before any enforcement action. The government says the policy will produce a public register of approved lets by December 2026.
Local advocates note that enforcement officers will focus first on areas with the highest number of existing listings. Residents can check the status of any address through the council website once the register goes live.