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10:05 AM, 19th February 2024, About 3 months ago 39
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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.
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.”
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.
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 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.”
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GlanACC
9:01 AM, 24th February 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Royston Olner at 24/02/2024 - 08:02
I actually agree with that, it shouldn't be beyond the wit of government (or will it ?) to seperate short and long term lets.
philip allen
17:00 PM, 24th February 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 19/02/2024 - 21:11
If you're not an MP already you should be seriously considering the possibility of getting yourself elected. That fraternity welcomes all control freaks with open arms!
GlanACC
17:10 PM, 24th February 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by philip allen at 24/02/2024 - 17:00
I did consider it once, I quite fancy the Monster Raving Looney Party however that is too much effort, I would start the can't be bothered party - no election manefesto, no campaigning, no need to turn up at the count.
TheMaluka
17:46 PM, 24th February 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 24/02/2024 - 17:10
You could twin it with the Apathy Party - if you feel its worth the effort.
Sally Robinson
13:42 PM, 26th February 2024, About 3 months ago
What about the existing short term lets depriving our cities of tens of thousands of dwellings? Should the register start with these unsupervised, unmonitored, potential death traps first?
NewYorkie
14:54 PM, 26th February 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Sally Robinson at 26/02/2024 - 13:42
I haven't had a holiday let for 20 years, but when I did, we spent a fortune on it, and I have used Airbnb in various countries, and none have been potential deathtraps. Invariably, they have been refurbished to a high standard to command a premium price, which means Building Regs compliance in the UK... and we all know they are OTT when it comes to 'safety'.
Anne Nixon
15:11 PM, 26th February 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 26/02/2024 - 14:54
Not sure that the clients review system on Airbnb would do deathtraps any favours either.
It's bad enough if there is a dog barking in the neighbourhood or lack of a decent teapot!!
Oliver Rees
13:47 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago
Holiday lets afford a landlord to maintain their properties to a high end luxurious finish. I particularly focus on heritage properties as the rent they command from holiday lets affords me the opportunity to preserve properties that have been neglected for decades. If everyone improved their housing then the areas would improve too. More tourism, more desire for people to actually be there, whether to live, work or play.
NewYorkie
15:09 PM, 13th March 2024, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Oliver Rees at 13/03/2024 - 13:47
Unfortunately, your argument doesn't cut the mustard with those who believe FHL is preventing locals living locally, and that's the narrative driving this move.
We did have a FHL 20 years ago [but now prefer to use someone else's] and I have to admit I don't know how the taxation regime has survived as long as it has [compared to BTL] for what is 'discretionary' accommodation.
The costs for maintenance and marketing were high, even then, and there has been a surge in FHL investment to cater for 'staycations', and landlords flipping to take advantage of the generous tax regime.
Maybe, the government was simply biding it's time to capture as many owners as possible, in the belief they will either suck up the extra costs, or sell at a discount if they can't. If S24 is to apply to FHL owners, there will be a lot of higher rate taxpayers caught up in the fallout. This is one tax Labour will be very happy to continue!