Propertymark backs controversial Airbnb registration ...

Letting agents’ body Propertymark is throwing its weight behind a mandatory licensing and registration scheme for short let landlords.

Anyone who lets out what is described as “visitor accommodation” in Wales must register - this will include Airbnbs and any other short lets, in addition to more traditional bed and breakfast operations.

The first phase will be a statutory registration scheme for all accommodation providers, which will provide a register on the broad range of visitor accommodation available across the country and will include details on who is operating in the sector, where they are operating, and how they are operating.

Once a registration scheme is fully established, the intention is to follow with a licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation. This will initially focus on confirming compliance with safety requirements visitor accommodation providers should already be meeting, before looking at introducing quality standards at a later stage.

Propertymark says its members in Wales have expressed growing concern over the effects of holiday homes and Airbnb-style short lists.

In a statement the body says: “We support the introduction of licensing or registration schemes which balance the economic interests and identity of a local area with the need to ensure that an abundance of visitor accommodation does not lead to a lack of permanent homes. An effective scheme should also ensure better regulation and more effective health and safety requirements are in place, raising the standard of holiday lets to meet the private rented sector (PRS).

“We also hope that licensing will help to address the imbalance of investment where for some time short-term lets have been seen as the more lucrative option to the detriment of the PRS.”

The Westminster government has recently consulted on similar proposals for England, although no decision on a scheme has been agreed - so far.