Spring Budget a missed opportunity to boost housing supply
The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Spring Budget on 6 March 2024, likely to be the last before a General Election. Whilst a cut in Capital Gains Tax on property transactions will be welcomed, the sector will be disappointed that key measures, such as stamp duty breaks for last time buyers, increasing mortgage availability and a suspension of the 3% stamp duty land tax premium on buy-to-let purchases have been overlooked.
Councils to wield greater powers over short-term lets
A mandatory national register and a requirement for planning permission will give local authorities in England the ability to measure the impact of holiday lets in their area and to restrict the proliferation of new lets to protect access to permanent housing for local people.
Compulsory registration will enable short-term lets to demonstrate quality
Plans for statutory registration and licensing for all visitor accommodation in Wales have been announced with legislation expected to be introduced before the end of the year to address the negative impact second homes and short-term holiday lets have on the availability and affordability of housing for local people.
Local short-term let rules are the only way to ensure balance
Responding to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) consultation on the registration options for a short-term lets (STLs) licensing scheme in England, Propertymark stated that any scheme should not be compulsory for local authorities if they can prove they are having no impact on private rented sector supply in their area.
Second and empty homes council tax consultation
The Scottish Government want to understand how they can help councils make the best use of existing housing in their area, including managing the numbers of short-term lets, and second and long-term empty homes, where these are causing local housing issues.
Registration scheme and new use class for short-term lets
A Department for Culture, Media & Sport consultation has been launched looking at three high-level possible approaches to a registration scheme with detailed questions about the design.
Gove questioned about Renters' Reform
Pressing housing questions were put to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in an oral session in the House of Commons on Monday 20 February 2023, with the Secretary of State, Michael Gove giving some reassurance to landlords and tenants, however, the long-promised Renters’ Reform Bill is still awaited.
Restrict licensing to priority areas only
Recognising the fact that some members in Wales operate for landlords of short-term holiday lets, Propertymark has responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation to establish a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales.
Short-Term Lets Licensing requirements in Scotland extended
The Scottish Government has announced more time for hosts of short-term lets to apply for a licence. The deadline has now been postponed for six months from the original deadline of 31 March 2023 to 1 October 2023.
Call for more landlord support in Welsh tourism hotspots
If the main driver of the proposals from the Welsh Government is to increase housing options for local people, they need to support landlords and increase housing supply where tourism is in high demand, including taxation incentives, boosting local authorities’ levels of Discretionary Housing Payments and improving positive communication with landlords.
Opportunity to boost Welsh housing supply and decarbonise stock
The Welsh Government’s proposal to provide discretionary powers for local authorities to apply a visitor levy in Wales should see any revenue raised ringfenced to tackle any housing problems within the local authority area. This could also solve the chronic lack of housing options for vulnerable people and working families.
Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill now has a focus on planning
Putting local communities at the forefront is the next step for the Bill, with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLHUC) announcing housing targets are to remain but are a starting point with new flexibilities to reflect local circumstances.
The impact of short-term/holiday lets on UK housing
This research piece presents an updated picture of the current market for short-term lets (STLs), looks at the broader costs/benefits to our communities, and potential solutions that could maximise the benefits while minimising the drawbacks as seen by property agents.
DCMS urged to establish standards within the short-term lettings industry
Propertymark has been outspoken in the past over how the proliferation of short-term lets risks reducing the size of the private rented sector. An increase in short-term and holiday lets also reduces the number of homes for people to purchase which increases house prices as supply is reduced.
Even playing field within the short-term let market
Scotland’s Short-Term Lets Licensing Order takes effect on 1 October 2022 which will be the first step taken within the UK to officially monitor short-term lets by requiring all councils in Scotland to have an operational licensing system.
Research to delve into impact of short-term lets
Propertymark is calling on both letting and estate agents from across the country to share their thoughts and experiences as they look to scope out the extent of the issue through an online survey.