The government has today (19th February) announced plans to require planning permission for future short-term lets, in a bid to protect local residents from being pushed out of their communities.
Under the reforms, landlords would be required to obtain planning permission in order to let their properties as short-term rental homes.
A new planning ‘use class’ would be created 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 new proposals also mention the creation of a new mandatory national register, to give authorities the information they need about short-term lets in their area and their effects on the community, as well as underpin compliance with key health and safety regulations.
The rules would not apply to homeowners who are letting out their own main or sole home for up to 90 nights a year.
In addition, the government also announced its intentions to introduce two associated PD rights — one allowing for a property to be changed from a short-term let to a standard residential dwelling, and a second that would allow a property to be changed to a short-term let.
Local authorities would be able to remove these permissions and require full planning permission if they deem it necessary.
“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,” said the secretary of state for levelling up housing and communities Michael Gove.
“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.”
Amanda Cupples, general manager nor Northern Europe at Airbnb, welcomed the new proposed rules, particularly the introduction of the short-term lets register.
“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.”
Kay Buxton, chief executive of the Marble Arch London Business Improvement District, said: “We see daily issues with household waste from guests in short term-lets scattered along Westminster’s high streets in carrier bags, and copious amounts of fly-tipping as flat fixtures and fittings are rotated on an almost continuous basis.
“Some of the worst examples of anti-social behaviour manifest when a flat is used for illegal activity, such as a brothel or unlicensed music event (UME). In these situations, not only the local authority but the police and the courts are involved in making the property safe and returning a block to a safer neighbourhood footing, at great expense to the public purse and residential communities.
“We therefore welcome the housing secretary’s announcement, and fully support the call for a short-lets registration scheme and greater powers on regulation and enforcement.”
