A Compulsory Registration Scheme For Holiday Lets is now to become law. Councils are awaiting timelines and guidelines from the Secretary of State for Housing Michael Gove, holiday let registration schemes are like to be reported in more detail later this year.. Registration will be a major step in professionalising the sector along with existing clear updates on Health & Safety measures.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss any questions you may have Mark@landlorddirect.com
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HMRC Regulations for short term let platforms
HMRC have set out new regulations for UK 'intermediaries' such as self-catering agencies and online booking platforms including Airbnb. One requirement is that those advertising holiday lets will need to declare the Land Registry reference number for the holiday rental property which will show legal ownership.
New planning use class for short / holiday let property
There will now be a new C5 Planning Use Class for holiday / short let properties.
Properties already operating as a short let / holiday let should automatically be passported over to this new C5 planning use.
Property owners will be given ‘ Permitted Development Rights’ which means they can move freely between a residential C3 and short let use C5 without applying for planning permission…unless your local council decide to bring in an Article 4 Directive restricting holiday / short let properties within their city or borough.
Business Rates
It would be prudent therefore for all holiday let owners to register their holiday homes for Business Rates before the new registration scheme is introduced. It is currently a requirement that holiday lets are registered for Business Rates opposed to Council Tax & it is highly likely therefore that a new Registration Scheme will only register holiday lets that are on the Business Rates register. I understand there is already a waiting list for new applications for Business Rates and I would suggest owners apply now.
- Email ndronline@voa.gov.uk stating you have a commercial holiday let & wish to register the property for Business Rates / our clients show a link to the webpage we create for their property as proof that they are advertising their property as a commercial holiday let.
- When registered then apply for small business rates relief via your district Local Authority.
- Organise private refuse collection.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any questions you may have Mark@landlorddirect.com
Keep your property fully compliant with safety legislation
Property owners can make sure that their holiday let complies with all the Health and Safety checks and certificates required, by gaining Accreditation with Visit England (the official Tourist Board Accreditation). Owners should keep proper records & certification of gas appliances and boilers, smoke detectors, Carbon Monoxide detectors, chimney sweeping, etc.
Always select a registered ' Safe Agent'
All letting agents in England must now by law be registered with a Client Money Protection Scheme which gives certain protections to client monies held by a property agent, make sure your letting agent is registered with one of the following approved schemes;
- Client Money Protect
- Money Shield
- Propertymark
- RICS
- Safeagent
- UKALA Client Money Protection
This also gives confidence to guests booking holiday cottages directly though an agent's website.
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