Labour looks to give councils powers over short-term lets

Labour plans to fast-track a crackdown on short-term lets by granting councils new powers, the Telegraph reports.

The newspaper says Labour will empower local councils in England to designate areas where holiday lets will need planning approval.

Also, a compulsory national register for short-term lets is on the horizon.

A Ministry insider informed the Telegraph that the registration scheme will be rolled out ‘as quickly as possible’.

In Wales, a similar register, known as an “Article 4 Direction,” already exists and covers both second homes and holiday lets.

Northern Ireland has had a registration system in place for some time.

Committed to short-term let regulations

Former Conservative housing secretary Michael Gove committed to short-term let regulations as part of proposed planning reforms.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 laid the groundwork for a national registration scheme.

Following a consultation in February, the previous government under Rishi Sunak announced that planning permission would be required for letting homes starting this summer.

However, experts have cautioned that a new registration scheme could lead to stricter controls on short-term lets, a move they argue has failed in Edinburgh.

The Short-Term Accommodation Association

The chief executive of the Short-Term Accommodation Association (STAA), Andy Fenner, expressed his concerns about a locally managed scheme becoming chaotic.

He told the Telegraph: “We are very concerned that the registration scheme is not going to be national.

“We’re concerned that it is going to be introduced either by county, region or council.”

Mr Fenner also expressed his fears that a registration scheme will be a ‘poorly done licensing scheme’ – which is something the sector doesn’t want.

Linked to an increase in black market listings

In Scotland, short-term let regulations introduced last October have been linked to an increase in black market listings, with industry groups warning it could damage long-term tourism.

The scheme requires anyone offering bookings and guest accommodations, including self-catered lodgings and B&Bs, to obtain a licence, posing an extra hurdle for those renting out spare rooms.

Since the scheme’s inception, only 290 full secondary letting licences have been issued, according to council data.

Conservative MSP Miles Briggs described Scotland’s licensing scheme as ‘disastrous’ in Holyrood in May.

A Ministry of Housing spokesperson told the Telegraph: “We are introducing a short term lets registration scheme to help give councils greater oversight and control of housing in their areas.”

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