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London borough · W1, W2, W9, W10, NW1, NW8

Inventory and check-in reports in Westminster

Westminster had the second-highest share of private renting in England in 2021 (43.3% of households, after the City of London), and its social rented sector grew too (28.3%). Most homes are flats: Georgian and Victorian terraces split into flats, red-brick mansion blocks, and post-war estates such as Churchill Gardens and Lisson Green. Lets range from studios above shops in Soho to high-value furnished flats in Mayfair and Belgravia, and many properties are leasehold with managing agents and porters.

Average rent£3,196£3,196 a month (ONS, August 2026), down 0.6% on a year earlier Source
Average house price£887,206£887,206 (UK HPI, August 2026), down 14.3% on a year earlier Source
Homes sold, last 12 months1,529Average price paid £2,168,545 (HM Land Registry)
Households renting privately43.3%43.3% of households rent privately (Census 2021), up from 39.7% in 2011 Source
Council tax£1,047.85£1,047.85 (Band D, 2026/27, including the GLA precept of £510.51); higher in Queen’s Park and Montpelier Square, which pay a local precept Source
Landlord licensingSome areasWhat it means for you

Homes sold in Westminster in the last 12 months

TypeSalesAverage price
Flat or maisonette1,218£1,024,455
Terraced149£2,967,381
Other140£10,715,053
Semi-detached13£5,437,154
Detached9£6,109,877

HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.

What to check at a Westminster check-in

  • Mansion blocks in Marylebone, Maida Vale and St John’s Wood: photograph the communal entrance, lift, porterage and post arrangements, and record every key and fob.
  • Stucco terraces in Pimlico and Bayswater: photograph sash windows, shutters, cornicing and any damp in basement flats.
  • Furnished high-value lets: photograph each item of furniture, soft furnishings, artwork and appliance, with close-ups of any marks.
  • Flats above shops in Soho and Covent Garden: photograph the street door, stairs and any rear fire escape, and note who holds the keys to the communal door.
  • Lower-ground and basement flats: photograph lightwells, drains and walls for damp, and any window bars or security grilles.
  • Note the building’s rules on moving in, parking and bike storage, and photograph the meter readings, which are often in a communal cupboard.

Do it yourself in Westminster

  • No clerk to book: do it whenever you have the keys, before the tenant moves in or with them there.
  • £30 a report instead of a clerk’s fee for every check-in, inspection and check-out.
  • The check-out starts from the check-in and shows what has changed, photos side by side.
  • Prefer paper? Use the free inventory template.

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Neighbourhoods

Areas of Westminster

MaryleboneMayfairSoho and Covent GardenPimlicoBelgraviaBayswaterPaddingtonMaida ValeSt John’s WoodQueen’s Park

Letting in Westminster

Licensing, safety certificates, deposits and the local figures, for landlords.

Renting in Westminster

Your check-in, getting your deposit back, and where to get help locally.

Free property report

EPC, sold prices, crime, flood risk and rental yield for any Westminster postcode.
Questions

Inventories in Westminster: questions

How much does an inventory clerk cost in Westminster?

Clerks usually charge per visit, more for bigger or furnished homes, so a check-in and a check-out together often come to a few hundred pounds. With DIY Inventory each report is £30, whatever the size, and you can do it as soon as you have the keys.

What is the average rent in Westminster?

£3,196 a month (ONS, August 2026), down 0.6% on a year earlier. Rents vary a lot by street and type of home; the free property report shows sold prices, the EPC and more for any Westminster postcode.

Do landlords need a licence in Westminster?

Selective licensing: Selective licensing covers 15 of the 18 wards (all except Pimlico South, St James's and Vincent Square) in two designations from 24 November 2025 until 23 November 2030, for privately rented homes that aren't HMOs. Additional HMO licensing: Additional licensing covers the whole city for smaller shared houses and flats (three or more people in two or more households); the renewed scheme runs from 31 August 2026 until 30 August 2031, and existing licences stay valid until they expire. Fees: Additional HMO licence £1,540 for five years; selective licence £995 (Part A £543, Part B £452), with discounts for accredited landlords and EPC B or above. Check the council’s own page before letting, as schemes change.

Can I do my own check-in inventory in Westminster?

Yes. Landlords, agents and tenants can do it on a phone: a photo checklist for every room, the date and time stamped on every photo, every item’s condition, and both sides sign. The PDF is ready the moment it’s signed.

Will a DIY inventory stand up in a deposit dispute?

Deposit schemes (DPS, TDS, mydeposits) decide on the evidence, above all the condition at check-in compared with check-out. Dated photos of every room, signed by both sides, are exactly that evidence.

Nearby

Neighbouring boroughs

CamdenKensington and ChelseaBrentCity of LondonLambethWandsworthAll areas

Ready when you have the keys

Start your Westminster inventory today, on your phone. It’s free until you download it.

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