Reactions As The UK Government Announces A New Plan For Airbnb

A new trade body in the UK, The Short Term Accommodation Association, has expressed deep disappointment over a government plan for Airbnb and other short-term let companies seeking planning consent. The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities has announced that a formal consultation will soon take place to discuss the proposal of requiring planning consent for an existing home to be used as a short-term let. Another option the government will consider is giving owners the flexibility to let their homes for a specified number of nights in a calendar year without needing planning permission.

Reactions from Industry Leaders

Short Term Accommodation Association Chief Executive Andy Fenner has voiced concern that the introduction of a planning permission requirement could harm many small businesses. He argues that the government has ignored the positive contributions short-term rentals make to the UK economy and the tourism sector.

The Economic Impact of Short-Term Rentals

The short-term rental business is a vital contributor to the UK economy, helping the country attract both domestic and international tourists. Additionally, it supports the local economy by boosting spending in the community. Despite its importance, many people are unaware of how much short-term rentals benefit the broader economy. There is also a need for greater focus on building new homes to address the housing shortage in the country.

Government's Objectives and Planning Changes

The government has stated that it wants to ensure the benefits of diverse and sustainable accommodation while supporting the visitor economy. This move is also designed to protect local communities and ensure the availability of affordable housing. The proposed changes will create a new planning use class for short-term lets not used as a primary home, along with new permitted development rights.

Local Communities and the Housing Crisis

UK Housing Secretary Michael Gove explained that in too many communities, short-term lets have pushed local residents out of their towns, cities, and villages. The government's goal is to ensure that more people have access to affordable local housing, helping families rent or buy homes closer to their workplaces.

Support for the Consultation and National Registration Scheme

Not everyone opposes the consultation. The short-term lets sector has largely supported the consultation, which aims to create a national registration scheme to better understand the impact of short-term lets on communities. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer emphasized that while short-term lets offer tourists greater flexibility, they should not come at the expense of local people’s ability to own or rent a home.