New regulations for short term lets?

The government has issued a consultation paper suggesting that new controls may be placed on Airbnb-type holiday lets, particularly in tourism hotspots.

The government has issued a consultation paper suggesting that new controls may be placed on Airbnb-type holiday lets. It is designed to relieve the housing pressure in tourism hotspots like the Southwest's coastal communities, the Lake District's chocolate-box villages and towns and cities with significant visitor economies.

Under the proposals, second home owners will have to apply for planning permission to start renting out their properties as holiday lets. Michael Gove, the Secretary responsible for housing, plans to bring legislation before Parliament by the end of the year.

Mr Gove said "In too many communities we have seen local people pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages by huge numbers of short term lets", adding "I'm determined that we ensure that more people have access to local homes at affordable prices, and that we prioritise families desperate to rent or buy a home of their own close to where they work.

In a second, separate, consultation, the Department for Culture Media and Sport proposes a compulsory registration scheme for short term lets. Two options are suggested. The first would be an opt-in scheme for local authorities, under a national framework, based on their local needs. The second would be a national registration scheme administered centrally.

The register of short term lets will be introduced later this year as secondary legislation through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. It will apply to England only.

Reactions to the proposals span the entire spectrum, from "anti-business" to "overdue". The industry's largest booking engine, Airbnb expressed the view that they were broadly supportive of mandatory registration.