Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Short-term Lets: Licensing

Monday 15 June 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alison Hume raised concerns about short-term lets affecting housing affordability in Whitby.
  • The Minister emphasized the importance of boosting housing supply and the distribution of homes in addressing housing affordability.
  • Caroline Voaden expressed concerns from local councils about the impact of new Government policies on planning decisions and affordable housing.
  • The Minister stated that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for implementing a national registration scheme for short-term lets.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alison Hume Lab Scarborough and Whitby
Taxation Housing
Context

The issue pertains to the impact of short-term lets on affordable housing in Scarborough and Whitby, particularly affecting Whitby which is being hollowed out by these rentals.

Question

In my constituency, Whitby is being hollowed out by short-term lets. Bordered by the sea and a national park, house building cannot solve the problem of a lack of affordable housing for residents. We must also release more existing homes for families in the town. Will the Minister commit to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament? Registration schemes, while welcome, will not be robust enough to tackle the problem.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

To be clear, there is no credible solution to the housing crisis that does not involve significantly boosting housing supply, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right to argue that the distribution of homes in any given area has a significant bearing on housing availability and affordability. As she knows, the Government have already made changes to the tax system to reorientate the housing markets away from second-home owners and investors and towards local people looking for homes to live in. While I cannot commit to future legislation, I assure her that we continue to consider how best to ensure that local planning authorities have the full set of tools they need to manage challenges of the kind described by my hon. Friend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament

How: Cannot Commit To Future Legislation

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Q2 Alison Hume Lab Scarborough and Whitby
Taxation Housing
Context

The issue pertains to the impact of short-term lets on affordable housing in Scarborough and Whitby, particularly affecting Whitby which is being hollowed out by these rentals.

Question

In my constituency, Whitby is being hollowed out by short-term lets. Bordered by the sea and a national park, house building cannot solve the problem of a lack of affordable housing for residents. We must also release more existing homes for families in the town. Will the Minister commit to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament? Registration schemes, while welcome, will not be robust enough to tackle the problem.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

To be clear, there is no credible solution to the housing crisis that does not involve significantly boosting housing supply, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right to argue that the distribution of homes in any given area has a significant bearing on housing availability and affordability. As she knows, the Government have already made changes to the tax system to reorientate the housing markets away from second-home owners and investors and towards local people looking for homes to live in. While I cannot commit to future legislation, I assure her that we continue to consider how best to ensure that local planning authorities have the full set of tools they need to manage challenges of the kind described by my hon. Friend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament

How: Cannot Commit To Future Legislation

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Q3 Caroline Voaden Lib Dem South Devon
Housing Local Government
Context

Representatives from 22 town and parish councils are concerned about new Government policies curtailing their power over planning decisions, leading to a lack of truly affordable homes for locals. The spread of second homes and holiday lets is exacerbating the housing crisis in South Devon by removing former council homes from the market.

Question

Last week I met representatives from 22 town and parish councils who were all deeply concerned that new Government policies are curtailing their power over planning decisions, and concerned at the lack of truly affordable homes for locals. I understand the Government have a house building target, but the housing crisis in South Devon is exacerbated by the spread of second homes and holiday lets, removing even former council homes from the market and leading to a shortage in rental properties. However, we do not know the true extent of the issue without the short-term let registration scheme. When will the Department introduce the register, so that we can control short-term holiday lets in our rural and coastal towns?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

My Department is not responsible for the national registration scheme for short-term lets. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for that and is committed to implementing it as soon as possible. When it is implemented, the scheme will capture any property used as short-term rental accommodation, importantly including second homes that operate as short-term lets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a specific timeline or implementation date for the national registration scheme

How: My Department Is Not Responsible, Department For Culture, Media And Sport

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