Short Term Rentals – A Potential Planning Issue?

The recent decision in Iveta Nemcova v Fairflied Rents Limited [2016] UKUT 303 underlined the importance of reviewing lease terms (in particular, the user covenant) prior to letting residential property on a short term basis, as set out in our alert. It therefore seems timely to reflect upon the potential planning issues raised by short term rentals, particularly given the rising popularity of websites such as Airbnb and onefinestay.

What's the use?

From a planning perspective, permanent use of residential property for temporary sleeping accommodation constitutes a material change of use for which planning permission is required.

Short-term lettings in Greater London are also subject to a further planning restriction in the form of Section 25 Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1973. This makes the use of residential premises as temporary sleeping accommodation for less than 90 consecutive nights a material change of use requiring planning permission. The purpose behind the provision is to protect London's permanent housing supply.

The Government introduced an exception to this restriction in the Deregulation Act 2015. As a result, short term lettings in the capital are no longer deemed a material change of use if:

the cumulative number of nights use as temporary accommodation does not exceed 90 nights in any one go (or any calendar year); and the person providing the accommodation is liable to pay council tax. Such use may, nonetheless, be classed as a material change of use under Building Regulations. Consequently, upgrade works may still be required to comply with relevant standards.

The new rules also grant the Secretary of State power to create further exceptions by way of regulations, albeit subject to approval by both Houses of Parliament.

Motivating factors

The Government's rationale for relaxing the rules was set out in 'Promoting the sharing economy in London - Policy on short-term use of residential property in London', which came out of a wider review of property conditions in the private rented sector. In short, the changes were intended to give Londoners the opportunity to earn extra income renting out their property and expand the pool of competitively priced accommodation in the capital, while removing uncertainty caused by inconsistent enforcement of section 25 across London Boroughs.

Safeguards

The new...