REGULATORY GUIDE

Stay fully compliant with Newcastle's short-term rental regulations. Everything you need to know about permits, taxes, and legal requirements.
Last updated:
August 29, 2025
United Kingdom
England
Newcastle
REGULATORY GUIDE

Stay fully compliant with Newcastle's short-term rental regulations. Everything you need to know about permits, taxes, and legal requirements.
Last updated:
August 29, 2025
United Kingdom
England
Newcastle

TL;DR

Rules

How to comply

Rules, Taxes & Penalties

Upcoming Changes

FAQs

GOV.UK: Self-catering & holiday let (Business Rates)

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 in Newcastle, but frequent whole-home guest stays can count as a material change of use from C3 (dwelling) to visitor accommodation (C1/sui generis), which may need planning permission on a case-by-case basis. There’s no local night cap. Report income to HMRC; if the property is available 140+ days and actually let 70+ days in a year it can move from Council Tax to Business Rates. No local tourist levy.

Legality
Short lets are allowed; planning permission may be required where use as short-stay visitor accommodation is a material change of use (assessed on facts and degree).
Night Cap
None locally (London’s 90-night cap does not apply).
STR Register
No local STR register. Apply for planning permission if advised (material change of use). Government proposals for an England-wide register and planning controls are in train.
Risk
High-intensity whole-home STRs—especially flats in conservation or Article 4 areas—can trigger a change-of-use decision and enforcement; confirm planning status before scaling.

Key Rules at a Glance

Overview of requirements, authorities, and costs for short-term rental compliance
Requirement
What you need
Authority / Link
Cost / Time

Registration / Permit

No local STR register. Apply for planning permission if advised (material change of use). Government proposals for an England-wide register and planning controls are in train.

Max Nights

None locally (London’s 90-night cap does not apply).

Planning / Zoning

Most non-major applications target ~8 weeks (statutory).

Fee
£
528
Around 8 weeks for non-major applications (subject to validation/consultation).

Safety & Insurance

Complete a fire-risk assessment and follow the small paying-guest accommodation guidance; fit and maintain smoke alarms on each storey and CO alarms where required; test regularly and keep records. Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue offers home-safety checks/alarms.

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.

Step-by-Step: How to comply

Overview of requirements, authorities, and costs for short-term rental compliance
1

Risk of material change of use from C3 to visitor accommodation (C1/sui generis) if operated as frequent whole-home short-stay accommodation; pre-app advice recommended. Most non-major applications target ~8 weeks (statutory).

2

Apply if required. Planning application (fee ~£528).

3

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.

4

Complete a fire-risk assessment and follow the small paying-guest accommodation guidance; fit and maintain smoke alarms on each storey and CO alarms where required; test regularly and keep records. Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue offers home-safety checks/alarms.

Your Short-Term Rental Compliance Guide

Overview of requirements, authorities, and costs for short-term rental compliance

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  • Income tax: Declare profits to HMRC. The Furnished Holiday Let (FHL) regime is abolished from 6 Apr 2025 (1 Apr 2025 for Corporation Tax). Holiday lets are taxed like other property income.
  • Business rates vs Council Tax: A whole-home STR is on VOA business rates if it’s available 140+ days and actually let 70+ days in the prior year; otherwise it stays on Council Tax. You may qualify for Small Business Rate Relief.
  • Second homes premium: From 1 Apr 2025, English councils can apply up to 100% Council Tax premium on furnished second homes (local exemptions apply).
  • Rent-a-Room (main home only): Up to £7,500 tax-free when letting a furnished room in your only or main home (shared → £3,750 each). Not for whole-home STRs.
  • Business rates for self-catering & holiday lets (Gov.uk)

    Edge Cases & Exemptions

  • Article 4 Directions (HMOs) in parts of Jesmond, Heaton, South Gosforth, Ilford Road and Sandyford remove PD rights for C3→C4 changes—different to STRs, but signals tighter control over residential use impacts in these neighbourhoods.
  • Conservation Areas: Newcastle has 12 conservation areas—heritage/amenity impacts are closely scrutinised; check the council list and profiles or use the planning policies map.
  • Leasehold/headlease or block rules may prohibit STR regardless of planning.
  • Properties meeting the 140-day availability and 70-day letting thresholds may be moved to Business Rates (and potentially back-dated).
  • Penalties & Enforcement

  • Planning: report suspected breaches online; see the council’s Planning Enforcement Protocol for how cases are handled. Unauthorised use can lead to an enforcement notice and prosecution.
  • Safety: failure to comply with a remedial notice under the Smoke/CO Alarm Regulations can attract a civil penalty up to £5,000 per breach.
  • Smoke/CO Alarm Regulations: civil penalty up to £5,000 per remedial notice. Planning breaches can lead to enforcement notices and prosecution; rates may be back-dated if reclassified.

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    GOV.UK: Self-catering & holiday let (Business Rates)

    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.

    Do I need planning permission in Newcastle?
    Is there a night cap or 90-day limit in Newcastle?
    Do I need to register or get a permit?
    What taxes do I need to pay for short-term lets?
    What safety requirements do short-term lets need to meet in Newcastle?

    Tools & Resources

    Planning Guidance
    Newcastle City Council – Planning
    Fire Safety Guidance
    Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue: Home fire safety
    Tourist/Local Tax Guidance
    Business rates for self-catering & holiday lets (Gov.uk)
    National Safety Guidance
    Home Office: Small Paying-Guest Accommodation (fire safety)
    National Tax Guidance
    GOV.UK: Self-catering & holiday let (Business Rates)
    Regional Safety Guidance

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    This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with

    Newcastle City Council – Planning

    your local authority.