Government seeking new planning permission rules for short-term lets

The government has announced new plans which would require short-term rental owners in England to seek planning permission.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has launched a consultation which would require planning permission for an existing home to be used as a short term let.

However, the government said that local authorities could choose not to use the planning controls, which would only apply in England. It is also considering relaxing the rules for holiday lets up to a maximum number of nights a year.

The planning changes would be introduced through legislation later in the year if passed through the consultation stage.

Airbnb urged the government to “strike a balance between protecting housing and supporting everyday families who let their space to help afford their home and keep pace with rising living costs”.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove commented: “Tourism brings many benefits to our economy but in too many communities we have seen local people pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages by huge numbers of short-term lets

“I’m determined that we ensure that more people have access to local homes at affordable prices, and that we prioritise families desperate to rent or buy a home of their own close to where they work.

“I have listened to representations from MPs in tourist hot spots and am pleased to launch this consultation to introduce a requirement for planning permissions for short-term lets.”

Andy Fenner, CEO of the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), added: “We support a registration scheme but introducing a planning permission requirement completely ignores the contribution short-term rentals make to the economy.

“Many thousands of small businesses will be affected by these changes if the Government sees them through.

“It’s important this issue doesn’t become a political football when the short-term rental sector is a key reason why the UK is so attractive to international and domestic tourists. Its role in providing local employment is routinely overlooked and measures to solve housing shortages should instead be focused on building new homes in sufficient numbers.

“We’ve seen similar measures introduced in Edinburgh but the effect was a damaging reduction in short-term rental availability, with many forced to exit the market.

“We need the Government to get round the table and identify an alternative way forward that doesn’t do as much harm to the tourist industry and local jobs.”