How to apply for a licence and planning permission
If you operate short-term let accommodation, you will need a licence under , unless specifically exempt. You may need a licence even if you occasionally let out a spare room or sub-let while on holiday. The legislation has been created to make sure all accommodation meets the right safety standards.
In 91¸£ÀûÉç you may also need to apply for planning permission to operate a short-term let in an entire property that is not your main home. The whole of the City of 91¸£ÀûÉç Council area has been designated as a short-term let control area. The designation came into effect on 5 September 2022.
Who needs to apply
Existing short-term let hosts and operators
If you have been a short-term let host or operator before 1 October 2022, you must submit a licence application before 1 October 2023 to continue operating while your application is considered. You may also need to apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness. Please do this before you apply for a licence.
If you were an existing host or operator before October 2022 and do not apply for a licence before 1 October 2023 but continue to operate, you could get a fine of up to £2,500. You will also be banned from applying for a licence for a year. You would not be able to offer lets during this time.
New hosts and operators
If you are planning to start offering short-term lets, you cannot take bookings or receive guests until you have a licence.
If you will be offering an entire dwelling as a short-term let, you will also need to apply for planning permission before applying for a licence.
All short-term let hosts and operators must have a licence by 1 January 2025.
