Government reveals plan to tighten rules on holiday lets

A consultation on a planning permission requirement is under way, which ministers say will also consider giving owners flexibility to let their properties for a yet-unspecified period of time each year – potentially up to 90 days – without having to seek planning permission.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the proposals would give communities greater control over short-term letting in tourist hotspots, in turn helping residents find affordable housing to solve an acute housing crisis in heavily touristed areas.

However, the department stressed it recognised short-term lets, such as those offered by Airbnb, were now "a significant part of the UK’s visitor economy", providing increased choice and flexibility for tourists and business travellers during major sporting and cultural events.

The proposed changes to the UK’s planning regime would see a new planning use class created for short-term lets that are not a sole or main home, as well as new permitted development rights meaning planning permission will not be required in areas where local authorities choose not to use these planning controls.