Possible holiday-let register delay could provide helpful prep time
The government’s planned national register of short-term lets looks likely to be delayed from April to October 2026. This gives holiday home owners extra time to prepare without the distraction of the busy spring and summer seasons.
Holiday home owners look like they will be given extra time before a compulsory national register of short-term lets begins.
The government had been planning on introducing the light-touch scheme in April, but this now looks set to be pushed back potentially to October.
That is positive for various reasons, notably because holiday home owners will be able to concentrate on the spring and summer seasons without the distraction of tackling the new rules.
Furthermore, opting not to rush the launch of the register, which has been welcomed by the sector, should mean its implementation goes far more smoothly.
The national register will help provide official data that will show how many holiday homes are located in each area, and it could help raise standards in the sector, too.
Helpful Hiatus
Campaigners working closely with the government had urged it not to launch the register in the summer when holiday home owners are at their busiest.
It appears this wish may have been granted, with those close to the department implementing the scheme stating that the register could now launch in October.
When it goes live, the government will require those engaged in property management on the likes of Airbnb and Vrbo in England to log their holiday homes on the national register. For owners navigating professional support options, our overview of Airbnb co-hosting and holiday let management explains how we help owners stay compliant and informed.
Andy Fenner, chief executive at the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), said he was happy with the prospective delay.
“We’re happy as we want it to be right, not rushed,” he said.
“We are very fortunate to have worked with Chris Webb MP, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, because he understands tourism as he has worked in it for most of his career.
“While it would have been nice to have the register launched, it is probably more sensible now to do so in October.”
Mr Fenner added that he now hoped for specific launch dates from the government, because October remained a “suggestion” rather than an official policy decision.
Striving for Simple
Continued effort is being put into making sure the register scheme is easily navigable for holiday home owners.
It is understood the system will be simple, with owners asked to declare their properties meet legal standards and potentially suffering sanctions if this turns out to be false.
Mr Fenner said the STAA had been actively campaigning to ensure the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is overseeing the register’s launch, presented the regulations clearly from the outset.
“We’re doing this with the Welsh government quite actively, including working with them on what the form looks like, the colours, and wording,” he said.
Mr Fenner added that this work should ensure the scheme suffers fewer problems when it launches in Wales in the autumn, and he hoped to be able to provide the same guidance in England.
Crucially, it will be vital for the government to give the industry the opportunity to provide training to holiday home owners, especially because the sector is largely populated with small- and medium-sized enterprises that don’t have big compliance teams.
The process of registering is not expected to be onerous or impactful upon Airbnb property management, but for anyone with any queries, we regularly support owners with compliance questions as part of our co-hosting service, ensuring requirements are clearly understood and managed locally.
What Happens Next?
While a delay of the short-term let register from a previously planned April launch looks likely, we will provide more clarity as details emerge. We’ll continue to monitor developments closely and share clear, practical updates to help owners stay informed and prepared.
For more on how the register fits into the wider regulatory picture, see our previous coverage of the national register and what it means for owners, as well as the latest on planning law changes for holiday lets and the mandatory registration scheme.
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Holiday let register: your questions answered
The national register is a government scheme that will require all short-term let owners in England to register their properties. It aims to provide official data on holiday home numbers in each area and help raise industry standards.
The register was originally planned for April 2026 but now looks likely to be delayed until October 2026. This has not been officially confirmed, so we will share updates as details emerge.
No. The scheme is expected to be straightforward. Owners will be asked to declare that their properties meet legal standards. Industry bodies like the STAA have been working with the government to keep the process simple and clear.
Wales is introducing its own registration scheme on a similar timeline. Scotland already has a licensing scheme in place. The national register discussed here applies to England specifically.
We regularly support owners with compliance questions as part of our co-hosting service. While we do not manage compliance directly, we advise on requirements, share updates on regulatory changes, and help ensure everything is clearly understood and managed locally.
