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What is the England STR Registration Scheme?
The England STR Registration Scheme is a government regulation requiring all short-term let operators in England to register their properties on a national database. The register provides a live, comprehensive overview of all properties being used for visitor accommodation.
Its main purpose is to equip local authorities with clear data on the quantity and location of short-term rentals, helping them to craft and enforce policies related to housing, planning, and community welfare. This scheme is being introduced alongside a new planning 'use class' specifically for short-term lets.
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How it works
Property owners or managers must submit key information about their rental property, such as its address, owner details, and safety compliance evidence, to a new national online portal. Upon successful submission, the property is issued a unique registration number.
This number must then be displayed on all advertisements and listings, including direct booking websites created with a website builder and on OTA channels like Airbnb and Vrbo. While the scheme is managed centrally, it is implemented and enforced by local councils, which may charge a fee for registration.
Why it matters
This scheme introduces a new layer of regulation for the English short-term rental market, seeking to balance tourism benefits with the needs of local communities. For hosts, it adds a mandatory compliance step, but it also helps to professionalize the sector and establish a level playing field.
For local authorities, the scheme provides essential data to inform planning decisions, manage housing stock, and address issues like anti-social behavior sometimes associated with STRs.
Examples
- A homeowner in Cornwall who occasionally rents out their second home on Vrbo will need to register the property and display the registration number on their online listing to continue operating legally.
- A property manager in London overseeing a portfolio of 10 apartments will be required to register each individual unit through the national portal, paying the associated fee for each property.
- A city council, such as in Manchester, will use data from the registration scheme to track the density of STRs in specific neighborhoods and decide whether to require planning permission for new lets under the C5 use class.
- An operator of a glamping site with several yurts in the Lake District will be required to register each individual letting unit on the scheme to comply with the new national rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is the England STR Registration Scheme the same as the new planning use class for short-term lets?+
What information will I need to provide to register my property?+
Will I have to display my registration number?+
Does this registration scheme apply to the entire UK?+
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