Government to step up plan to crackdown on short-term lets
In a bid to tackle the growing concerns surrounding short-term rentals, the new Labour government has unveiled ambitious plans to overhaul the short-let landscape across England. This move is part of a broader strategy to address housing affordability and local community impact, which has been a point of contention among various stakeholders.
The government's proposal involves two major components: expanding local authorities' powers to regulate short-lets through planning consent and introducing a mandatory national register for short-term rentals. A source within the ministry has indicated that the registration scheme will be rolled out “as quickly as possible,” signalling an urgent push to implement these new measures.
Local councils will gain enhanced authority to control the number of short-term rentals within their jurisdictions. This move is designed to address the issue of housing stock being syphoned off from the long-term rental market, potentially easing pressure on rental prices and improving availability for residents.
The proposed national register aims to provide a comprehensive database of all short-term rentals. This measure is expected to give councils better oversight and enable more effective regulation. It also seeks to address concerns about transparency and accountability in the short-let market.
In Wales, councils already use “Article 4 Direction,” which regulates both second home ownership and holiday lets. This scheme allows for significant local control over how properties are used and has been a model for the proposed changes in England. Northern Ireland also has a long-standing registration scheme that has informed the new proposals.
Despite the government's assurances, there are concerns about the potential pitfalls of the new registration scheme. Andy Fenner, the Chief Executive of the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), has voiced worries about the possibility of a fragmented, locally run system. He fears that this could lead to inconsistencies and inefficiencies, possibly resulting in a “mess” rather than a streamlined regulatory framework.
Sophie Lang from ARLA Propertymark has highlighted another concern: the impact on the short-let market and local economies. She points out that similar measures in other regions have sometimes led to operational challenges for landlords, increased rental prices, and even harm to local tourism-dependent economies. Lang emphasises the need for a balanced approach that protects both housing affordability and local economic interests.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing has defended the proposed changes, asserting that the new registration scheme will enhance council oversight and control over housing in their areas. The aim is to create a more organised and fair system that addresses both the housing supply and the impact of short-term rentals on local communities.
As the Labour government pushes forward with these reforms, the real-world impact of the proposed changes will become clearer. While the intentions behind the new regulations are to improve housing affordability and local oversight, stakeholders across the board are watching closely to see how these measures will be implemented and whether they will achieve their desired outcomes.
The debate around short-lets continues to evolve, and the success of these new regulations will likely hinge on careful implementation and ongoing dialogue between policymakers, local authorities, and the short-let community.
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