Government announce new rules for short-term lets

The Government have announced new rules requiring planning permission for properties to be used as short-term lets.

Under the reforms councils will be given greater power to control short-term lets by making them subject to the planning process.

The proposals aim to support local people in areas where high numbers of short-term lets are preventing them from finding housing they can afford to buy or to rent.

Meanwhile, a new mandatory national register will give local authorities the information they need about short-term lets in their area.

It's hoped that this will help councils understand the extent of short-term lets in their area, the effects on their communities, and underpin compliance with key health and safety regulations.

Homeowners will still be able to let out their own main or sole home for up to 90 nights throughout a year without planning permission and Government is considering how to apply the register so it does not apply disproportionate regulation for example on property owners that let out their home infrequently.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, 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. 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."

The changes have been welcomed by Cornwall Council. Leader Cllr Linda Taylor said:

"As a council we continue to do all we can to support residents to find the homes they need – from building and buying more homes to working with government to introduce double council tax on second homeowners.

"This initiative to limit the number of holiday lets through the planning process is very welcome as another way we can support our residents in finding a secure home."

The proposed planning 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 into the new use class and will not require a planning application.

The Government also intends to introduce associated permitted development 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.

Both of these measures are focussed on short-term lets, and therefore the planning changes and the register will not affect hotels, hostels or B&Bs.

Further details of these measures will be set out in the Government’s response to the consultations, including the timeline for implementation of the register, the use class and the individual permitted development rights - with the changes being introduced from this summer.

You can hear all the latest news on the hour, every hour.