Banning of Landlords using Airbnb?

As a former hotel owner and current landlord, I never really understood why anyone could take a domestic property and use it for commercial purposes without getting planning permission in the first place. Not that I am a lover of more red tape but surely short term lets should be subject to the same regulations as small guesthouses? However once the government gives a tax advantage to a sector then obviously people will take advantage, but the playbook seems to be to then introduce a raft of legislation that ends up ruining successful business, another unintended consequence. It almost like they don’t really have a plan isn’t it?

Reply to the comment left by northern landlord at 27/06/2022 - 13:45
"Generation Rent are already pushing for landlord’s to have to pay the tenant compensation of around £1700 if tenants are evicted to allow the landlord to sell up and the Government seem to listen to them."

Where a landlord of a commercial property within the protection of ss24-28 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 wants to redevelop or wants it for his own occupation he has to pay statutory compensation. This works pretty well and landlords factor in the cost.

I expect residential landlords could live with paying reasonable compensation when evicting for a non-fault ground. However, that has not really been canvassed.

As a professional landlord my biggest concerns are being unable to evict a non-paying tenant for months and trying to evict a rent-paying but thoroughly obnoxious HMO tenant who upsets all the other tenants.

The new White Paper promises speedier evictions for non-payment (we'll believe that when we see it) and has nothing to say about problem HMO tenants.

Reply to the comment left by Jerry Stone at 27/06/2022 - 11:44are you interpreting this as each let for a minimum 90 days or (as others have reported) let for a minimum 90 days in total in a year?

I was born into rentals some 65 years ago with my family , the best thing that happened to our industry was section 21 , I have seen controlled tenants, sitting tenants, awkward tenants , good tennant and bad tenants.

I have never abused section 21 and have only used when I truly have to

As for Airbnb, well they are very happy to work hand in glove with our government handing over tak information, they have even offered to collect Tax, Airbnb will do whatever it can to make itself legit but it seems that will not happen

Myself I did holiday lets 20 years before AIrbnb and Booking com came along and yes I would say that they have flooded the market, so a correction will take place

However there will always be a need for different types of tenancies and if the government stop airbnb, take away section 21 , I will certainly ne leaving the industry we are going back to my Grandmothers day not forward, Landlords may have a tough time indeed.

But governments have messed up lettings before and they will do it again , what they need to try is building some housing for people they might be surprised to see that works just like it used to

Gove will go on posh hols with his nearest and dearest (if he has any left?), UK seaside holiday makers smell so he wants them out, out? So, make it impossible to give then the chance? Not even Gove gets a 90 days annual holiday?

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 28/06/2022 - 12:24iHowz landlord association suggested proportional notice periods and tenant compensation in their white paper earlier this year
https://ihowz.uk/category/campaigns/
In reply to some of the other comments:

As said earlier, the point of requiring a minimum number of 70 nights let for holiday homes is to put a stop to second home owners avoiding council tax liability, when they should be paying the higher rates, which apply to second and empty homes.
To qualify as a FHL for tax purposes (non S24) a property must
- be available as a FHL for minimum of 210 days
and
- let for 105 days (max qualifying stay length of 31 days
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/furnished-holiday-lettings-hs253-self-assessment-helpsheet/hs253-furnished-holiday-lettings-2022
Planning requirement is inconsistent as it is defined by planning authority. 90 day exemption on change of use class.
Some local authorities are already implementing other restrictions. Scotland have gone further with legal requirements for licences and tourist taxes.
On the comment about Airbnb guests choosing these properties based on cost, this may be the case for van driving, boot wearing contractors, who might settle for HMO style accommodation but most guests are looking for something else, often not available from hotels. This might be location, facilities (cooking and laundry, etc), single rental for larger group, for example.
While this type of accommodation is, generally, required to meet the same safety requirements of the PRS, a higher standard should apply, given that guests may be staying for a short time in an unfamiliar property.
Currently, insurers are not asking for much additional information (if any).
The renters reforms are likely to require all rental properties to be registered (licenced) and subject to mandatory certification inspections.
Should the Government decide to target this sector, tax will indeed play its part, with many small to medium sized operators finding themselves subject to VAT investigation due to FHL income being liable.