New short-term lets will require planning permission under plans designed to prevent the “hollowing out” of communities and ease the housing crisis. Housing Secretary Michael Gove announced new laws on Monday 19 February that would require people letting out their property as a short-term holiday home to seek permission from the local council under a new “use” category.

The crackdown would not apply to people renting out their main home for 90 days or less in a year. A mandatory national register would be set up providing local authorities with information on short-term lets in their area. It comes after campaigns from councils, particularly those in London, that have a high number of short term lets and a shortage of housing.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, stated on 19 February: ‘Local residents will be protected from being pushed out of their communities by excessive short-term lets thanks to changes in planning rules announced today.

‘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.

‘Meanwhile, 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, the effects on their communities, and underpin compliance with key health and safety regulations.