A national register for short-term and holiday lets in England will become fully operational by March 2027, according to confirmation from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in Parliament on 3 September.
The mandatory online register aims to provide local authorities with comprehensive data on the number and location of short-term lets operating within their jurisdictions. However, key operational details remain unconfirmed, including what information property owners must provide, administration procedures, and registration frequency requirements.
Market impact and enforcement
The register is designed to help councils assess the impact of holiday accommodation on local housing markets and support enforcement of existing health and safety requirements. The move follows growing concerns about short-term lets reducing the availability of homes for long-term rental in certain areas.
England’s register will bring it in line with other UK nations. Scotland and Northern Ireland already operate registration or licensing systems for short-term accommodation, while Wales is introducing a visitor accommodation register from October 2026.
Industry response
Propertymark, the industry body, has called for greater parity between short-term lets and the private rented sector, though it argues regulation should reflect conditions in individual housing markets. The organisation stated that short-term lets can support tourism and give owners flexibility, but local authorities need effective tools to respond where high numbers reduce availability of homes for local residents.
The body’s research indicates that increasing the supply of private and social housing is the main solution to pressures linked to short-term lets. In its 2023 response to a government consultation, Propertymark argued that councils should have flexibility over how the system operates locally and should not be required to introduce additional measures where short-term lets have no demonstrable impact on private rental supply.
Propertymark also emphasised that sufficient resources must be provided to prevent the scheme from being used to address historic funding gaps. This concern comes at a time when housebuilder formations have fallen to their lowest level since 2022, highlighting broader challenges in the housing supply sector.
Conclusion
The register represents a significant regulatory development for property owners operating short-term lets in England. With implementation seven months away, the property industry awaits further details on compliance requirements and how the system will function alongside existing regulatory frameworks for the private rented sector.
