The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, Michael Gove MP, has tabled a government amendment to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament, committing to a registration scheme for short-term rental properties in England.

The text can be accessed via the Amendment Paper. It is shown as government new clause 119 (Gov NC 119) on page 50 of the paper. The amendment commits the Government to introducing a scheme, but it must consult on the nature of the scheme before doing so.

In a letter to Selaine Saxby MP (Con, North Devon) who has been pushing for this, the Housing Minister Lucy Frasier MP has said she intends to launch a consultation before summer recess next year, with an implementation date by autumn 2024. The Prime Minister also confirmed this was government policy during PMQs.

The NCC points out to holiday park members that the relevant clause 119 contains the following:
“premises” includes any place and, in particular, includes— (a) any vehicle or vessel; (b) any tent or moveable structure” – this would, the NCC explains, include caravans.

Explanatory statement

This new clause requires the Secretary of State to make provision by regulations requiring or permitting the registration of specified “short-term rental properties”. The Secretary of State must consult before making the first regulations under the clause. The clause provides for a number of matters that may be included in the regulations, including, for example, provision as to

• who will maintain the register or registers
• conditions that must be met to register a property
• provision prohibiting the provision or promotion of a short-term rental property without registration or compliance with the regulations
• provision as to when registration may be revoked and
• provision for appeals.

Provision is also made for enforcement by way of civil sanctions.

When responding to the consultation, the NCC will explain why the caravan industry should be exempted – using, inter alia, the European argument where camping and caravanning has been excluded from a similar regime. 

Footnote: Ministerial correction – timing of the registration scheme for short term lets

The Housing and Planning Minister, Lucy Fraser MP, has corrected the record in Hansard as it relates to the Government’s plans on the registration scheme for short-term lets and planning use class changes.

Government intends to consult on both aspects ‘early in the new year’. If the result of the consultation is to go forward with planning use class changes, that will need legislation, and the plan is for that to be laid before Parliament in autumn 2023. They have also removed from the record that the registration scheme will be running in the autumn. You can read the ministerial correction here.