Current short-let rules across the UK
Licensing, planning, tax and safety rules for UK holiday-let and short-term-let hosts, with links to official sources.
Scotland
Every short-term let needs a council licence before taking bookings or guests. Control areas in Edinburgh and Badenoch & Strathspey. Visitor levies arriving city by city.
England
No national register yet (now expected March 2027). Use class C5 is still only a proposal. London has a 90-night cap. Business rates need 140 nights available and 70 nights let.
Wales
Free registration with the Welsh Revenue Authority is mandatory by 31 March 2027. Councils can start a visitor levy (£1.30 per person per night). Licensing is legislated for, with a default start of March 2030. Business rates need 182 days let.
Northern Ireland
All tourist accommodation must hold a Tourism NI certificate. Inspections every 4 years. Fee £40 per unit (min £40, max £350).
Latest changes
- 2026-10-08 [Wales] WRA registration guidance updated: register by 31 Mar 2027.
- 2026-10-02 [England] National STL register start pushed to 'expected March 2027'.
- 2026-10-01 [Wales] Duty to register visitor accommodation with the WRA starts.
- 2026-09-29 [England] Business rates guidance adds rules for owners of 5+ lets and for mixed-use sites (effective 24 Jul 2026).
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