To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to enable local authorities to sanction landlords who do not ensure orderly occupants in short-term holiday lets.
Answered on
13 December 2022
The Government is aware that whilst the growth of short term lets over recent years has delivered many benefits for consumers, it has also prompted concerns in some areas with a high concentration of such properties.
To address this, the Government is introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. Further details on how the scheme will operate will be explored through a public consultation which we aim to publish before summer recess in 2023. The Government will also consult next year on the introduction of a new planning use class for short-term lets, supported by permitted development rights.
A registration scheme has the potential to provide much needed data on short-term lets, improve consistency in the application of health and safety regulations, boost England’s reputation, and attract more international visitors by giving visible assurance that we have a high quality and safe guest accommodation offer.
On taxation, the Government is planning to introduce a discretionary council tax premium on second homes. Councils will be able to levy a premium of up to an additional 100% on council tax bills for second homes. It will be for councils to exercise their own judgement as to whether to apply a premium and at what level.