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.
Letting a dwelling to paying guests for short stays with high turnover; often treated as serviced accommodation (C1/sui generis) if intensity/impact goes beyond ordinary C3 use.
Short-term lets are legal in Reading, but frequent whole-home guest stays can be a material change of use from C3 (dwelling) to visitor accommodation (C1/sui generis), which may need planning permission case-by-case. 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.
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 Reading, but frequent whole-home guest stays can be a material change of use from C3 (dwelling) to visitor accommodation (C1/sui generis), which may need planning permission case-by-case. 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.
Registration / Permit
No local STR register. Apply for planning permission if advised (material change of use). Government proposals for an England-wide register and new planning controls are in train.
Max Nights
None locally (London’s 90-night rule does not apply).
Planning / Zoning
Most non-major applications target ~8 weeks (statutory).
Safety & Insurance
Complete a fire-risk assessment and follow the small paying-guest accommodation guidance; fit/maintain smoke alarms on each storey and CO alarms where required; test regularly and keep records. Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue offers free Safe & Well visits.
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 small paying-guest accommodation guidance; fit/maintain smoke alarms on each storey and CO alarms where required; test regularly and keep records. Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue offers free Safe & Well visits.
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⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
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England-wide registration scheme and a new planning use class/PD rights for short-term lets have been consulted on; monitor DLUHC/DCMS for commencement and local implementation.
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
Reading Borough Council – Planning
your local authority.
