Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Short-term Holiday Lets: Registration

Monday 13 April 2026 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government will continue to engage with MPs facing short-term let challenges
  • Government understands the impact of excessive concentrations on housing availability and affordability, considering additional powers for local authorities
  • Minister willing to engage with DCMS counterpart to discuss uploading fire and safety certificates for future schemes

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op)
Housing Local Government
Context

The scale of short-term holiday lets in York is causing housing challenges and affecting public services, while residents face antisocial behaviour.

Question

What progress has been made on introducing a registration scheme? Will the Minister commit to working with MPs dealing with Airbnb issues and embark on licensing consultation?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Will continue to engage with MPs facing short-term let challenges; Government understands the impact of excessive concentrations on housing availability and affordability, considering additional powers for local authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timing or details about licensing consultation not provided

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op)
Business & Trade
Context

Rural and coastal communities face pressures due to tax rises and regulatory impacts, with concerns over further damage to the hospitality sector if regulations are too heavy-handed.

Question

Will Ministers ensure that data is gathered before introducing a registration scheme to avoid further damaging the already pressured hospitality sector?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Assured of robust, secure, and simple-to-use registration service to minimise impact on businesses as requested.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on data gathering process or timeline

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Q3 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Housing Environment
Context

Cornwall has the second highest number of short-term lets after London, with concerns over fire safety and certificate uploads to register.

Question

Will the Minister discuss with DCMS opposite number about uploading fire and safety certificates for more robust future schemes?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

More than happy to engage with DCMS counterpart and raise specific points as requested.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment or timeline for actual discussion provided

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Q4 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op)
Taxation Housing
Context

Second-home owners can avoid paying council tax by letting their property as a short-term let, creating an unfair subsidy for those working hard to pay taxes.

Question

Will the Minister look at closing the loophole allowing second-home owners to dodge council tax and business rates? Will he also bring in separate planning use categories?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Long-standing discussions on furnished lettings exemption, taxation under review but no specific commitment or timeline given.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete commitments to closing loopholes or introducing new planning categories provided

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Q5 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Housing Local Government
Context

The scale of short-term holiday lets in York is causing housing challenges and affecting public services, while residents face antisocial behaviour.

Question

Will the Minister commit to working with MPs dealing with Airbnb issues and embark on licensing consultation for next parliamentary Session?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Engagement continues, Government understands impact of excessive concentrations on housing availability and affordability, considering additional powers for local authorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timing or details about licensing consultation provided

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