The UK’s short-let guest nights exceed 100 million
2 months ago
Government hints at further action on short-term lets
12:01 AM, 12th August 2026, 3 weeks ago
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The government claims it is taking action to tackle the impact of short-term lets.
In response to a written parliamentary question, Labour’s Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said the government would review additional measures aimed at giving councils greater powers to tackle the pressures caused by short-term lets.
The news comes as MPs have called on the government to go further in clamping down on short-term lets by changing data-management rules.
Government is taking action on short-term lets
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said: “The government is taking action to manage the impact of short-term lets on local areas. This includes making fair and progressive changes to the tax system, by abolishing the furnished holiday lets tax regime and increasing the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax on additional dwellings from three percentage points above standard rates to five percentage points above standard rates.
“In addition, we are empowering Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region.
“We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets.
“The government expects landlords to take active steps to tackle fraud and ensure social housing is used fairly, this may include taking legal action.
“Further, the government has commissioned a review exploring how effectively social housing providers manage their stock, including tackling issues such as fraud. Findings will be published later this year.”
Mandatory national registration scheme
As previously reported by Property118, the government has committed to introducing a mandatory national registration scheme for short-term lets.
Under the scheme, hosts will need to register their property’s address and will be issued a unique reference number. This number must be displayed on all platforms where the property is listed.
Hosts will also be required to confirm that they are complying with existing regulations for short-term lets, including fire safety, gas, and electrical certifications.
Tags:
Furnished Holiday Let, government policy, Holiday lets, national registration scheme, short term lets
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1572 - Articles: 1
9:59 AM, 12th August 2026, About 3 weeks ago
This government seems to have forgotten about those that NEED short term rentals to carry out their jobs and having the expense of renting or owning their main residence eg touring actors; touring musicians, those in the film industry eg Supporting Artists & crews, those on short term/ad hock building contracts.
The additional costs being imposed will mean it won’t be worth doing these jobs and might as well go on the dole.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 641
1:01 PM, 12th August 2026, About 3 weeks ago
This is crazy and how is this going to help the economy ?
Sadiq Khan has created a shortage of these type of lets in London.
Other parts of the country can let their properties for 365 days /year on Airbnb but in London where there is a big demand for short stays, the limit is 90 days.
I completely agree that properties should be safe and have gas safety certs etc. but I do not understand the need for further restrictions.
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 3
2:26 PM, 16th August 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Stella at 12/08/2026 – 13:01
Politicians need a scapegoat for their failure to address the shortage of social housing — and for the damage their policies continue to inflict on the Private Rented Sector.
Self-Catering Accommodation (they’re not “Short-Term Rentals”), along with landlords, is an easy target. Yet the number of self-catering properties is dwarfed by the number of empty, second or seriously under-used homes.
Just look at Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular. So-called “STLs” are already subject to planning controls and licensing, and now face a 5% (plus VAT) Visitor Levy. The result? No more tenancies and rents continuing to rise sharply, while Scottish residents and visitors are effectively being taxed for staying in Scottish accommodation — at higher market rates.
Edinburgh is becoming one of the most expensive places in the UK to visit. And then there’s the inevitable consequence of over-regulation: the growth of an unpoliced “black market” in accommodation, operating outside the planning, licensing and tax framework altogether.
Perhaps policymakers should stop blaming legitimate accommodation providers and landlords for a housing crisis they have failed to solve, and start addressing the real causes.