Short-term letting of a dwelling as visitor accommodation on a commercial basis for short periods with high guest turnover (may be treated as serviced accommodation/C1 or sui generis rather than C3).
Short-term lets are legal in Sheffield, but 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. There’s no local night cap or STR register. Report income to HMRC; if the property is available 140+ days and actually let 70+ days it may be moved from Council Tax to Business Rates. Follow the “small paying-guest accommodation” fire-safety guide and maintain smoke/CO alarms.
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 Sheffield, but 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. There’s no local night cap or STR register. Report income to HMRC; if the property is available 140+ days and actually let 70+ days it may be moved from Council Tax to Business Rates. Follow the “small paying-guest accommodation” fire-safety guide and maintain smoke/CO alarms.
Registration / Permit
No local STR register. Apply for planning permission if advised by the council (material change of use). A national registration scheme for England is planned.
Max Nights
None locally. London’s 90-night cap is London-only.
Planning / Zoning
Most non-major applications are decided in about 8 weeks (varies with validation/consultation).
Safety & Insurance
Complete a fire-risk assessment and follow the “small paying-guest accommodation” guide; install/maintain smoke alarms on each storey and CO alarms for rooms with fixed combustion appliances; test and keep records.
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” guide; install/maintain smoke alarms on each storey and CO alarms for rooms with fixed combustion appliances; test and keep records.
• Conservation areas/listed buildings: additional controls; Article 4 Directions in specific areas could limit permitted changes.
• Leasehold/headlease or block rules may prohibit short-lets regardless of planning.
• Business rates can be back-dated if the property meets self-catering thresholds.
• Management plans for parking, noise and waste may be required as part of any consent.
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
England-wide short-let registration scheme announced; minister indicated go-live by April 2026 (phased, starting voluntary). Government has set out delivery steps—watch for local implementation and any new Article 4 directions linked to a future C5 use-class proposal.
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.
Material change-of-use risk from C3 to serviced accommodation/C1 (or sui generis) if operated as frequent whole-home short-stay accommodation.
None locally. London’s 90-night cap is London-only.
No local STR register. Apply for planning permission if advised by the council (material change of use). A national registration scheme for England is planned.
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.
GOV.UK: Self-catering & holiday let (Business Rates)Complete a fire-risk assessment and follow the “small paying-guest accommodation” guide; install/maintain smoke alarms on each storey and CO alarms for rooms with fixed combustion appliances; test and keep records.
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with
Sheffield City Council — Planning
your local authority.