Rachel Blake MP for Cities of London and Westminster is leading a House of Commons debate on the regulation of short-term letting today, Thursday 12 September, in response to residents who have shared concerns about how short-term letting is impacting our local communities and neighbourhoods.

And Westminster’s Labour Council is calling on the Government to introduce a mandatory registration scheme to combat the anti-social behaviour short-term lettings cause in many parts of the West End.  One resident contacted the council as 200 people arrived at a flat in Brewer Street and police were called amid reports of “loud music, shouting and screaming”.  The resident told us: “They started a loud party soon after 11pm with loud music above us. It is not the first time; they make any sleep impossible.”

A mandatory registration scheme, which would see all units registered before being used for short-term letting, would give the council the power to take action against irresponsible hosts who allow fly tipping, noise and other disruption that can ruin the lives of neighbours.