Gove unveils new rules to curb short-term lets

Gove unveils new rules to curb short-term lets

10:05 AM, 19th February 2024, About 10 months ago 39

Text Size

The government has announced new rules to restrict short-term lets and give local communities more control over housing.

The changes, unveiled by Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, will require planning permission for future short-term lets and create a mandatory national register to provide valuable information and help ensure accommodation is safe.

The reforms aim to protect local residents from being pushed out of their communities by lots of short-term lets, which can prevent them from finding affordable housing to buy or rent.

‘Short-term lets can play an important role ‘

Mr Gove said: “Short-term lets can play an important role in the UK’s flourishing tourism economy, providing great, easily-accessible accommodation in some of the most beautiful parts of our country.

“But in some areas, too many local families and young people feel they are being shut out of the housing market and denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community.”

he added: “So, the Government is taking action as part of its long-term plan for housing.

“That means delivering more of the right homes in the right places and giving communities the power to decide.

“This will allow local communities to take back control and strike the right balance between protecting the visitor economy and ensuring local people get the homes they need.”

Long-term plan to prevent a ‘hollowing out’ of communities

The measures are part of a long-term plan to prevent a ‘hollowing out’ of communities, address anti-social behaviour and ensure local people can continue to live in the place they call home.

Owners will still be able to let out their own main or sole home for up to 90 nights throughout a year without planning permission.

The government is considering how to apply the register, so it does not impose disproportionate regulation on property owners that let out their home infrequently.

‘Short-term lets provide flexibility for homeowners’

Tourism minister Julia Lopez said: “Short-term lets provide flexibility for homeowners and give tourists more accommodation options than ever before, but this should not prevent local people from being able to buy or rent homes in their area.

“The Government is committed to getting the balance right to ensure both local people and our visitor economy can thrive.”

The proposed planning changes will create a new planning ‘use class’ for short-term lets not used as a sole or main home.

Existing dedicated short-term lets will automatically be reclassified into the new use class and will not require a planning application.

The register will only affect short-term lets

The planning changes and the register will only affect short-term lets, and not hotels, hostels or B&Bs.

Airbnb’s general manager for northern Europe, Amanda Cupples, said: “The introduction of a short-term lets register is good news for everyone.

“Families who Host on Airbnb will benefit from clear rules that support their activity, and local authorities will get access to the information they need to assess and manage housing impacts and keep communities healthy, where necessary.

“We have long led calls for the introduction of a Host register and we look forward to working together to make it a success.”


Share This Article


Comments

GlanACC

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

21:11 PM, 19th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 19/02/2024 - 19:30I agree, many AirBNBs have come into existance because of S24 and it takes out permanent homes for people and really pi**es off the local community. There is room for AirBNB and holiday lets but only in the right areas, and they should be controlled.

DC

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

11:47 AM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Andrew Morris at 19/02/2024 - 17:04
"They will have had 2 months at an average of 1/3 of the price of an Airbnb."
Yes, you make a good point, however, I imagine the majority of residential let's that us landlords provide are unfurnished, so the tenant that only intends to be there for 2 months is going to be really comfy rattling around in his empty house with just a sleeping bag and a suitcase of clothing.

TheMaluka

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

11:58 AM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Give Gove his due, he took a bad situation and made it worse. Seems to be his speciality.

Andrew Morris

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

12:28 PM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DC at 20/02/2024 - 11:47
My central Manchester business is 100% furnished, it’s common in cities. Like everything, it will probably just filter through to even higher rents. That’s the only place for all these policy changes to go.

PH

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

12:33 PM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DC at 20/02/2024 - 11:47
It won't take long before it comes to light how often tenants are moving to another property therefore they will not be entertained as a future tenant ...their loss.

Reluctant Landlord

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

12:46 PM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DC at 20/02/2024 - 11:47
...and as a direct result I see more LL's who do provide furnished now, will switch to unfurnished as standard.

If notice can be given by T after only a very short period of time, being unfurnished makes it less attractive for them to bother??

Its getting to the point where T;s are going to be offered unfurnished properties at a far higher rental charges - how does this benefit anyone?

Anne Nixon

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

15:31 PM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Andrew Morris at 20/02/2024 - 12:28
Mine too but will revert to unfurnished later if it's a problem.

GlanACC

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

16:59 PM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

I learnt my lesson about doing fully furnished 20+ years ago with my first furnished property, no more after that one

Andrew Morris

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

18:38 PM, 20th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Possible ways of dealing with the future 2-month notice is making the initial months more expensive with later months free. Where it’s 6-months in advance at £1,000PCM, month 1 and 2 could be £3k each, month 3-6 free. Also asking for proof of length of previous tenancy, but that’s no guarantee.

I have a large business in central manchester and the market is 99% furnished. No one wants unfurnished. These will be a target for alternative Airbnb.

I have dozens of tenancies a year where people want to break a fixed term agreement, which we make a charge for. The contract states 3 months rent plus costs - if we choose to agree the surrender - but we only charge around £180 per month remaining. This will cost us thousands per year.

It was always going to be a problem as you need 6 months to cover costs to make it worthwhile. In theory, if you were very unlucky, you might have 6 tenancies a year. The lettings costs would be absolutely enormous.

Royston Olner

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

8:02 AM, 24th February 2024, About 10 months ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 19/02/2024 - 11:43
How about they change the rules of Short term let to match those available to Holiday let's.
The Government are acting like Big Brother.
Whilst not really solving the main issue.
They should be provide housing for locals at competitive rates.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Automated Assistant Read More