In a significant move, Airbnb has thrown its support behind Housing Secretary Michael Gove’s proposal to establish a mandatory register for short-term let landlords. This announcement coincides with a broader set of measures unveiled this morning, aimed at tightening regulations on short lets across England.
Gove contends that the proposed changes, empowering councils to oversee short-term lets through the planning process, will address the housing affordability challenges faced by local residents in areas saturated with such accommodations.
Under the envisioned alterations, a new planning use class specific to short-term lets not serving as a primary residence will be introduced. Existing dedicated short-term lets will automatically transition into this new classification without the need for a planning application.
The government also plans to introduce associated permitted development rights. One allows for the conversion of a property from a short-term let to a standard residential dwelling, while the other permits the conversion to a short-term let. Local authorities will retain the discretion to revoke these permissions and demand full planning approval if deemed necessary.
Simultaneously, a mandatory national register is set to be established, providing local authorities with essential information on short-term lets within their jurisdictions. The government asserts that this register will enable councils to comprehend the prevalence of short-term lets, their impact on communities, and ensure compliance with crucial health and safety regulations.
While existing homeowners can still let out their primary or sole residence without planning consent, the proposed regulations limit such short-term rentals to a maximum of 90 nights per year.
Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, expressed optimism about the short-term lets register, stating, “The introduction of a short-term lets register is good news for everyone.” Cupples emphasized the positive impact on both Airbnb hosts and local authorities in managing housing impacts and ensuring community well-being.
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. Andy Fenner, CEO of the Short Term Accommodation Association, a trade body representing short lets providers and support companies, criticized the proposed registration scheme. Fenner argued that the current plan is a missed opportunity and falls short of addressing the challenges faced by the country. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive registration scheme covering all types of accommodations to facilitate well-informed planning decisions at the local level.
Fenner contends that the holiday let industry should not be unfairly scapegoated for housing supply and affordability issues, asserting that the root causes lie in broader issues such as insufficient housebuilding and the abandonment of housing targets.