Changes for owners of Airbnb and short term let properties in England
In the future, owners of Airbnb and short-term let properties in England will have to get planning permission before renting out rooms.
From this summer, the government will introduce legislation requiring owners of new short-term lets in England to secure planning permission to use their properties for short-term rentals. This should allow councils to control the number of licences issued in a particular area.
Under the reforms, councils will have greater powers to control short-term lets by making them subject to the planning process. The rules are not retrospective, and will not apply to properties already rented on a short-term basis.
The proposed changes would see a new planning ‘use class’ created for short-term lets not used as a sole or main home. Existing dedicated short-term lets will automatically be reclassified and will not require a planning application.
‘These changes 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,’ the government said.
A mandatory national register is also planned to detail all short-term lets, but the government stressed this would take a ‘light touch’ approach and would keep bureaucracy to a minimum.
Secretary of state for levelling up, Michael 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.
‘So the government is taking action as part of its long-term plan for housing. 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.’
The legislation will only apply in England as Scotland and Northern Ireland already have short-term let licensing schemes in operation, and Wales is introducing a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation providers.
