The government has announced plans to introduce a mandatory register for short-term lets, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirming the commitment in Parliament. The proposed scheme could come into force by March 2027.
Under the new regulations, hosts will be required to register their property's address and will receive a unique reference number. This number must then be displayed on all platforms where the property is advertised. Hosts will also need to confirm their compliance with existing legal requirements, such as fire safety measures and gas and electrical safety certification.
Ms Nandy stated that these measures are intended to empower local leaders to understand and shape what is happening in their areas, balancing the benefits of tourism with the local need for housing. Propertymark, an industry body, has called for a balance in short-term let regulation, noting that while they support tourism, local authorities need tools to address situations where high numbers of short-term lets reduce housing availability for local people.