Members of Parliament received further insights into the government's strategies to regulate holiday lets in popular tourist destinations following Michael Gove's recent announcement.
Mr Gove disclosed on Monday, February 19th, the intention to establish a national register for individuals renting out their residences through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com for over 90 days annually. Additionally, local councils in areas like Cornwall, Devon, and the Lake District will be empowered with greater authority to oversee new holiday let developments through planning regulations.
During the parliamentary session, government minister Julia Lopez addressed inquiries regarding the specifics of this regulatory initiative. She emphasised the government's acknowledgment of the growing concerns surrounding holiday lets in rural and coastal communities, expressing a desire for a "light touch, low cost, and simple scheme" without imposing disproportionate regulations on occasional property renters.
The proposed measures aim to introduce hurdles for professional landlords who purchase properties solely for holiday letting purposes, particularly in areas where residents struggle with housing affordability. These hurdles include registration on the national database and obtaining planning permission under permitted development rights categorised as a 'C5 short-term let use class.'
Furthermore, landlords may face increased council tax rates, potentially doubling the current levy, as councils gain enhanced powers granted by Gove.
Lopez affirmed that detailed planning for the scheme will commence promptly in collaboration with industry stakeholders and likely users. However, she refrained from addressing several inquiries posed by Labour's Rachael Maskell, such as the entity responsible for managing the register, eligibility criteria for property inclusion, required landlord disclosures, and enforcement measures to address disruptive guest behaviour.
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