Gove unveils new rules to curb short-term lets

The government has announced new rules to restrict short-term lets and give local communities more control over housing.

The changes, unveiled by Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, will require planning permission for future short-term lets and create a mandatory national register to provide valuable information and help ensure accommodation is safe.

The reforms aim to protect local residents from being pushed out of their communities by lots of short-term lets, which can prevent them from finding affordable housing to buy or rent.

‘Short-term lets can play an important role ‘

Mr Gove said: “Short-term lets can play an important role in the UK’s flourishing tourism economy, providing great, easily-accessible accommodation in some of the most beautiful parts of our country.

“But in some areas, too many local families and young people feel they are being shut out of the housing market and denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community.”

he added: “So, the Government is taking action as part of its long-term plan for housing.

“That means delivering more of the right homes in the right places and giving communities the power to decide.

“This will allow local communities to take back control and strike the right balance between protecting the visitor economy and ensuring local people get the homes they need.”

Long-term plan to prevent a ‘hollowing out’ of communities

The measures are part of a long-term plan to prevent a ‘hollowing out’ of communities, address anti-social behaviour and ensure local people can continue to live in the place they call home.

Owners will still be able to let out their own main or sole home for up to 90 nights throughout a year without planning permission.

The government is considering how to apply the register, so it does not impose disproportionate regulation on property owners that let out their home infrequently.

‘Short-term lets provide flexibility for homeowners’

Tourism minister Julia Lopez said: “Short-term lets provide flexibility for homeowners and give tourists more accommodation options than ever before, but this should not prevent local people from being able to buy or rent homes in their area.

“The Government is committed to getting the balance right to ensure both local people and our visitor economy can thrive.”

The proposed planning changes will create a new planning ‘use class’ for short-term lets not used as a sole or main home.

Existing dedicated short-term lets will automatically be reclassified into the new use class and will not require a planning application.

The register will only affect short-term lets

The planning changes and the register will only affect short-term lets, and not hotels, hostels or B&Bs.

Airbnb’s general manager for northern Europe, Amanda Cupples, said: “The introduction of a short-term lets register is good news for everyone.

“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.

“We have long led calls for the introduction of a Host register and we look forward to working together to make it a success.”

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