Upcoming National Short-Lets Registration Scheme: what do we know so far?

 

It’s December 2022 and news about the first steps towards the National Short-Lets Registrations Scheme has just been announced. 

The topic has been ongoing since the consultation with Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in the summer, and it looks like it has just progressed as the prime minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the government is committed to introducing a registration scheme for short-term holiday lets.


What do we know so far about the National Short-Lets Registration Scheme?

  • The UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), the trade association representing the thousands of owners and businesses operating in this sharing economy sector, says it met with DCMS minister Stuart Andrew MP a few days ago ahead of the policy announcement to discuss the finer points of the likely legislation after “months of work between the STAA and the Government”.

  • There is a call for a national holiday rental registration system to support accurate reporting and policy decisions, and the Government is considering tying holiday rentals to the planning system, as they do in London.

  • Ultimately, the program must be easy to register for, easy to administer for government agencies, and low in cost.

  • Meanwhile, Airbnb has been championing the idea of a national registration scheme as well - and after consulting with communities, published a “Summer 2021 Whitepaper” with suggestions for the scheme

  • Airbnb claims that approximately 95 per cent of UK hosts on Airbnb have just one listing, usually their main home, and earn just over £6,000 a year - equivalent to two months of additional pay for the average UK household. Hosts report that they rely on Airbnb income to pay their mortgages and energy costs as they rise.

Andy Fenner, CEO of the STAA, says:

“Holiday lets represent a tiny proportion of the total housing market yet provide vital flexible jobs and investment in our communities. The STAA wants the highest standards across our industry and clear, easy-to-use registration helps us achieve that. We have worked closely with the Government’s tourism officials to help develop this registration scheme and are very pleased that it has been announced.”

 
STAA Chair, Merilee Karr says:

“Any new regulatory solution should recognise our industry as an important part of the wider UK tourism proposition, which means we need a solution that gets the balance right.”

Theo Lomas, Airbnb Head of Public Policy and Government Relations, Northern Europe, says,

“Hosting provides vital income to many families and communities across Britain, which is more important than ever as the cost of living continues to rise. The registration system announced by the Government has the potential to ensure that home sharing will continue to unlock critical economic benefits for households, while also empowering local communities with the data and information they need to make informed decisions on housing and tourism.”

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