Changes in planning rules to protect residents
Released On 21st Feb 2024
Local residents will be protected from being pushed out of their communities by excessive short-term lets due to changes in planning rules.
Under the reforms, councils will be given greater power to control short-term lets by making them subject to the planning process.
This will support local people in areas where high numbers of short-term lets are preventing them from finding housing they can afford to buy or to rent.
These changes are part of a long-term plan to prevent a “hollowing out” of communities, address anti-social behaviour and ensure local people can continue to live in the place they call home.
Michael Gove, secretary of state for levelling up housing and communities, said: "Too many local families and young people feel they are being shut out of the housing market and denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community."
He added that government is introducing these reforms to strike a balance between protecting the visitor economy and ensuring local people get the homes they need.
Additionally, a new mandatory national register will give local authorities the information they need about short-term lets in their area. This will help councils understand the extent of short-term lets in their area, and the effects on their communities, and also ensure the accommodation is in line with health and safety regulations.
Short-term lets can provide increased choice and flexibility for tourists and business travellers.
Because of this, homeowners will still be able to let out their own main or sole home for up to 90 nights throughout a year without planning permission.
Tourism minister Julia Lopez said: "Short-term lets provide flexibility for homeowners and give tourists more accommodation options than ever before, but this should not prevent local people from being able to buy or rent homes in their area."
