Heard about OccuMax® pricing?
You can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
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FIND OUT MOREYou can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
Paid short stays in a dwelling offered to transient guests; not defined by a single national day count—assessed by use and intensity and by local judgment.
Short-term lets are legal across England. Frequent whole-home letting of a C3 dwelling can amount to a material change of use (often to C1 or sui generis) and may need planning permission from the local planning authority. There’s no England-wide night cap (London’s 90-night limit is London-only). Report income to HMRC; if a place is available 140+ days and actually let 70+ days in a year it may move from Council Tax to Business Rates. Follow the national “small paying-guest accommodation” fire-safety guide.
No single legal threshold. Treated case-by-case under planning (C3→C1 ‘material change of use’). London’s 90-night cap is unique to Greater London.
Short-term lets are legal across England. Frequent whole-home letting of a C3 dwelling can amount to a material change of use (often to C1 or sui generis) and may need planning permission from the local planning authority. There’s no England-wide night cap (London’s 90-night limit is London-only). Report income to HMRC; if a place is available 140+ days and actually let 70+ days in a year it may move from Council Tax to Business Rates. Follow the national “small paying-guest accommodation” fire-safety guide.
Registration / Permit
No national STR register yet. Planning permission may be needed where guest use is a material change. Government has confirmed an England registration scheme is being delivered (phased rollout).
Max Nights
No national cap. London’s 90-night limit applies only in Greater London under the Deregulation Act 2015.
Planning / Zoning
Most non-major applications aim for a decision in about 8 weeks (13 weeks for major). Timelines vary by validation and consultation.
Safety & Insurance
Complete a fire-risk assessment and follow the national “small paying-guest accommodation” guide; maintain alarms and firefighting equipment; keep records. The Fire Safety Order applies to paying-guest premises.
Tax
Income tax via HMRC. Business rates if available 140+ days & let 70+; else Council Tax. Rent-a-Room £7,500 (main home). Councils may charge up to 100% second-home premium from Apr 2025. FHL abolished 6 Apr 2025.
Income tax via HMRC. Business rates if available 140+ days & let 70+; else Council Tax. Rent-a-Room £7,500 (main home). Councils may charge up to 100% second-home premium from Apr 2025. FHL abolished 6 Apr 2025.
Complete a fire-risk assessment and follow the national “small paying-guest accommodation” guide; maintain alarms and firefighting equipment; keep records. The Fire Safety Order applies to paying-guest premises.
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• Article 4 Directions or conservation/heritage overlays can remove permitted development rights or add requirements.
• Apartment buildings may have lease/management rules that prohibit STR.
• Business-rates reclassification can be back-dated after inspection.
• Management plans for parking, noise and waste are common conditions where planning consent is granted.
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⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
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• Government has confirmed an England short-let registration scheme, with ministers indicating go-live by April 2026 (initially voluntary, then mandatory).
• Government has consulted on a dedicated short-let use class (C5) and related PD changes—watch for local Article 4s if introduced.
• Planning application fees were uplifted from 1 April 2025—check the current table before applying.
No single legal threshold. Treated case-by-case under planning (C3→C1 ‘material change of use’). London’s 90-night cap is unique to Greater London.
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with
Local Planning Authority (district/borough/unitary council); Local Fire & Rescue Service; Local Housing Authority (alarms).
your local authority.
