The UK’s short-let guest nights exceed 100 million
2 months ago
Short let query about Council Tax and Electoral Register?
8:57 AM, 26th August 2026, 2 weeks ago
2
Categories:
Hi everyone, I’m planning to put my flat on a short-term/Airbnb. The property is personally owned, but the short-let business will be operated and managed through my limited company.
I’m trying to clarify how I should deal with the Council Tax and the Electoral Register while the property is being used as a short let.
In particular, does anyone know:
- Whose name should be on the Council Tax account
- Should I notify the council that the property is being operated as a short-let/Airbnb?
- What should I select on the Electoral Register/council form where it asks about the property’s use?
- Does the fact that the property is operated by a limited company make any difference to the Council Tax or electoral registration?
I’m trying to make sure everything is correctly declared.
Any advice from anyone who has been through a similar situation.
Thanks.
Jay
Tags:
Airbnb landlord, council tax, Electoral Register, limited company property, short term lets, short-let landlords
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Previous Article
Labour insists it remains on track for 1.5 million homes targetNext Article
Landlord flat sell-off puts prices under pressureRelated Articles
Holiday Lets and Airbnb – What’s Covered and What’s Not
10 months ago
Holiday lets boom appears to be fizzling out
2 years ago | 2 comments
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 23
6:08 AM, 8th September 2026, About 3 days ago
I was hoping someone with expert knowledge might reply to your post before me, but since they haven’t I will give you my best guess as the answers to your queries:
1) The Council Tax would be registered in your personal name as owner-occupier. In the same way that if I own a buy-to-let (between tenancies) it is myself, not the management company that is registered.
2) Find out (through Google or by calling directly) whether your council has any requirement for planning/authorisation for use as short-term/holiday let. I called my council who confirmed this was not required, however some councils e.g. London, Edinburgh etc. would require change-of-use planning consent.
3) Property’s use is presumably C3 i.e. “Residential” rather than C1. The proposed C5 class for short-term lets is not yet active in England.
4) I don’t see that who operates the short-term let is relevant – it could be a Ltd Co or an individual, but doesn’t affect the nature of the property and its use.
These are just my thoughts, not tested in a court! Hope they are helpful 🙂
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 23
6:28 AM, 8th September 2026, About 3 days ago
p.s. Once your short-term/holiday let reaches a certain point it may qualify for business rates rather than Council Tax, as follows:
1} It must be available to let commercially for at least 140 days in the current or previous 12-month period.
2) It must be actually let commercially for at least 70 days in the previous 12-month period.
3) You must intend to keep it available for letting for at least 140 days in the upcoming 12-month period.
At this point you can apply to the Valuation Office Agency / VOA to switch to business rates, and potentially Small Business Rate Relief.