Short-term Lets Licensing
2026-06-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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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.
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.
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament
Cannot Commit To Future Legislation
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
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.
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.
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament
Cannot Commit To Future Legislation
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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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.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to a specific timeline or implementation date for the national registration scheme
My Department Is Not Responsible
Department For Culture, Media And Sport
Response accuracy