Proposals for a registration scheme for short term lets have been borne out of an attempt to distract voters from the inability of the government to ensure new housing is provided quickly enough, claims the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA).
The ongoing missed opportunity to solve the housing crisis was laid bare today by new research from the STAA that revealed councils have identified almost 2 million unbuilt homes that are ‘deliverable’ in England1, amid concerns the holiday let industry has become a scapegoat for housebuilding failures.
This has resulted in the threat of short-term rental regulation in England, which is currently the subject of a government consultation.
The ten councils with the largest pipeline of homes say they could deliver 215,043 all by themselves.
London councils have identified 331,712 deliverable new homes.
This year, the government conducted a consultation on a registration scheme and new planning requirements for short term lets in England.
The STAA is calling for a registration scheme for all hotel and lodging operators, which would provide the basis for any future hospitality tourism tax.
Andy Fenner, CEO at STAA, said: “We know there’s a housing crisis, what we can’t understand is why no one’s doing anything about it.
“Homes are just waiting to be built, but housebuilding in this country continues at a snail’s pace.
“Meanwhile one of the most vibrant parts of the tourism industry is taking the blame and that’s a mistake.
“Councils routinely talk about housing need but that doesn’t address the fundamental feature of a housing crisis, which is that there aren’t enough homes at affordable prices.
“Only housebuilding and a proper remedy for the scourge of empty homes will give the country what it needs, which is new supply.
“Only then will it be seen that, to solve the housing crisis, we don’t need to disrupt one of the most exciting new parts of the tourism economy.
“Singling out holiday let industry is a move against tourism itself and we look forward to forging a better way ahead with the next government.”
