registered kite branding scheme and safety point controls may be part of the government’s plans to discover the impact of short – term and holiday rentals in England’s tourist hotspots.
Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said a newly launched review seeks to “reap the benefits of the boom in short-term holiday rentals while protecting community interests and ensuring that England has high quality tourist accommodation”.
No decisions have been made yet, but the review will help us “work out the options to look at so we can protect our beloved communities and thriving holiday industry”, he added.
Physical control of properties can be used to ensure that regulations covering areas such as health and safety, noise and anti-social behavior are complied with.
The government review on the effect of short-term holiday rentals may also include a registration “kite mark” scheme with sample checks for compliance with rules on issues such as gas safety.
Further measures the Government is considering include a self-certification scheme for prospective hosts to register under, and better information or a single source of guidance setting out the legal requirements for suppliers.
Airbnb data shows a 33% increase in UK listings between 2017 and 2018, from 168,000 in 2017 to 223,000 in 2018.
The government is calling for 12-week feedback from a range of people and firms, including information from hosts, online platforms, accommodation businesses and local authorities.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) says the increase in the use of online short-term rental platforms has enabled people to make money from renting spare rooms and properties, but there could be an impact on housing provision. and prices in these areas.
It adds that fears have been raised about increasing anti-social behavior, including noise, waste and drunken behavior.
There were also concerns about lower protection for guests caused by the negligence of health and safety regulations.
Airbnb, which said in a 2018 report that a typical UK host earns an average of £ 3,100 a year on its platform, also found that 72% of people said the environmental benefits of housing share play a role in this. that they use the platform for their travel plans.
The 2015 Deregulation Act will be looked at to see what measures can be taken to tackle anti-social behavior in London while residents are allowed to rent out their homes.
David Weston, chairman of the Bed & Breakfast Association, said: “This is the right time to consider how we protect all consumers, regardless of an accommodation owner’s business model, and level the playing field between traditional business and newer ones. platforms. ”
Merilee Karr, of the Short Term Accommodation Association, said: “Short-term and holiday rentals are playing an increasingly important role in the English tourism economy by contributing significant numbers of jobs in local communities and valuable sources of income for local homeowners and businesses. to generate.
“Any new regulatory solution should recognize this contribution and seek to support the industry as an important part of the wider UK tourism sector.”