Lessors in Hounslow could be forced to register with the council as the crackdown on rogue landlords in the borough continues.
Newham Council last year became the first local authority in England to introduce compulsory registration for people renting out their properties.
Landlords there and in other boroughs which have followed suit must declare any criminal convictions and pass a health and safety inspection, or face hefty fines.
Civic Centre chiefs in Hounslow now want to introduce a similar scheme to prevent the exploitation of tenants living in cramped and squalid accommodation.
Council leader Steve Curran said it would be carrying out an options appraisal over the coming months before coming to a decision.
"We're actively considering introducing compulsory registration for landlords as other London boroughs have done, some successfully and others less so," he added.
"We need to make sure the market's right and it has the support of the majority of landlords, but it's something we're looking at very aggressively."
The prospect was welcomed by Conservative councillor Gerald McGregor, who said at Tuesday's (October 28) overview and scrutiny committee meeting: "I think that's the only way to improve standards and help end the shameful cases of rogue landlords exploiting their tenants."
Should the move get the green light, it would be the latest step in the council's crackdown on rogue landlords.
Last month, getwestlondon revealed how Hounslow had issued more enforcement notices against the owners of illegal buildings, including landlords renting out so-called 'beds in sheds', than all but three other local authorities.
In July, a rogue landlord who rented out cramped, rat-infested homes in Hounslow was fined £24,500 and ordered to pay thousands more in costs.
