Labour looks to give councils powers over short-term lets

Labour looks to give councils powers over short-term lets

0:02 AM, 29th August 2024, About 10 hours ago 2

Text Size

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.”


Share This Article


Comments

Cider Drinker

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

9:36 AM, 29th August 2024, About 44 minutes ago

None of this would be required if net migration was under control.

If every holiday let in England and Wales (around 70,000 according to the 2021 census) was immediately made available for rent or to buy, they’d be filled within just a month or two through net migration. Who would the government then blame for 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 failure to tackle the population crisis?

Unambitious locals earning minimum wage in popular seaside towns will not be able to buy in thise town. Reducing the number of visitors may see them lose their jobs in tourism and maybe then they will try harder to gain better employment.

Paul Essex

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

9:41 AM, 29th August 2024, About 39 minutes ago

Just what we need more 'postcode' legislation.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now