In some areas there are large concentrations of short term letting uses. These can impact negatively on the sustainability of communities. The previous Government announced new 'short term lets' controls in early 2024. Short-term lets rules to protect communities and keep homes available
The proposals included:
- a mandatory national register of short term lets. This will provide information on their spread and help ensure accommodation is safe
- homeowners letting out own main or sole home for up to 90 nights a year can continue without it being a change of use
- a new planning use class for properties used as short term lets subject to associated permitted development rights. These allow for a property to be changed from a short-term let to a standard residential dwelling. And also allow a property to be changed to a short-term let. Councils would have powers where they can show that uncontrolled short term lets would undermine sustainable communities. The Council would be able to remove the permitted development rights and require full planning permission. This would be via an Article 4 Direction and take up to 12 months to achieve.
The provisions will not apply until they are formally brought into force by Government. There is currently no timetable set out for this to happen.
Government is expected to tell us:
- their response to the consultations
- how the rules will work in practice
- timescales for the new Register and the use class
This is unlikely to be in 2024. We will provide more details of the proposals and timetable when confirmed by Government.