New rules proposed to curb growth in short-term lets like those on Airbnb

Planning permission will be needed to rent out a property for more than 90 nights, as part of new laws being introduced by government to clampdown on short-term, holiday lets.

Future short-term lets, of the type popularised by Airbnb, will be subject to permission from local authorities, which the government hopes will give residents more say in their area and allow greater control of rental housing stock.

Local authorities will also be empowered to remove permission for a property to be rented out for short periods of time to different people, usually on holiday, under proposals from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Also included in proposals is the creation of a national list of short-term lets, maintained by each council.

Only homes being rented out for more than 90 nights a year will be deemed a short-term let and fall under the scope of the new laws.

No specific timeline has been published for implementation but the government said changes will be introduced from this summer.

Further detail will be issued with government responses to consultations on the new regulatory scheme, the department said.

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The regulation is being developed to address concerns that homes in tourist hotspots are being used to house visitors rather than being available to rent long-term to people from the area.

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Lucrative short-term rentals and fewer properties being available to rent have been behind rent rises seen nationwide.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “We know short-term lets can be helpful for the tourist economy, but we are now giving councils the tools to bring them under control so that local people can rent those homes as well.

“These changes strike a balance between giving local people access to more affordable housing, while ensuring the visitor economy continues to flourish.”

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Both Airbnb and the Professional Association of Self Caterers UK welcomed the announcement.

“The introduction of a short-term lets register is good news for everyone,” Airbnb said.

“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.”

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