Introduction of a use class for short term lets and associated permitted development rights

The increase in the number of short term lets in certain areas, such as coastal towns, national parks and some cities can impact on the availability and affordability of homes to buy or to rent for local people and on the sustainability of communities more broadly. While short term lets can support tourism and the local economy in such areas it is important that this is balanced with meeting the needs of the local community. The government is therefore consulting on planning measures that would help local areas have greater ability to control any future increase in the number of short term lets in their area and support the retention of existing properties to buy or to rent.

This consultation seeks views on the introduction of a short term let use class. In addition it seeks views on the introduction of new permitted development rights to provide flexibility where short term lets are not a local issue, and which allows for this flexibility to be removed where there is local concern. We are additionally seeking views on how homeowners might be provided with flexibility to let out their sole or main home for up to 30 nights in a calendar year.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is in parallel consulting on the detail of the planned register of short term lets. See: Consultation on a registration scheme for short-term lets in England.