From April 2026, the UK Government will introduce a mandatory Holiday Let Registration Scheme for all short-term and holiday let properties in England.
This is a significant change for property owners and managers, aimed at improving safety standards, ensuring fair competition, and giving local authorities better oversight of the sector.
What Does this Mean for You?
If you operate a holiday let, you will need to register your property on a new national online portal. Registration will be compulsory for anyone letting on a commercial basis. Without a registration number, your property cannot legally be advertised on platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, or even your own website.
Key Requirements
While final details are still being confirmed, early guidance from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) indicates you will need to:
Provide Property and Ownership Details
• Full address
• Ownership information
• Council tax or business rate reference
• Whether the property is a main residence, second home, or dedicated holiday let
Submit Safety Compliance Documents
• Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Valid Gas Safety Certificate
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Fire Risk Assessment and evacuation plan
Display Your Registration Number
• This number must appear on all listings and marketing materials.
Why Is This Happening?
The scheme aims to create a level playing field, improve guest safety, and help communities manage the impact of short-term lets on housing availability.
Laura Puncher, Director at Pebbles of Salcombe, explains:
“This new scheme is about transparency and safety. For owners, it’s essential to prepare now - gather your compliance certificates and ensure your property meets the required standards. At Pebbles, we’re ready to guide our clients through every step and provide hands-on support so they remain fully compliant and stress-free.”
Josh Newman, Director at HolidayHost, adds:
“One of the requirements will be to keep accurate records of guest nights. Our co-hosting service already does this automatically and makes it available to owners via our app. This means our clients will be well-prepared for the new registration process without any extra admin.”
How Pebbles Can Help
We will provide ongoing support to ensure your property meets all requirements before April 2026. Our compliance service includes safety checks, documentation management, and updating your listings with the new registration number.
Next Steps for you:
• Review your insurance cover
• Check you have access to the record of guest nights
For more information or assistance, contact our team today.
