What is a short term/holiday let?
Short term lettings are defined as periods of less than 90 days.
Do I need planning permission?
In London, you do not need to apply for planning permission to use an entire flat or house as a short term/holiday let if:
- you pay the Council Tax for the property
- each individual short term let is no more than 90 days
- the total number of holiday let days over the calendar year is no more than 90 days.
You do need to apply for full planning permission to convert a flat or house into a short term/holiday let if:
- the total number of short term/holiday let days will be more than 90 days in a calendar year.
You do not need planning permission to let your property on leases of over 90 days. You also don't need it if you let a room within your property whilst you are still living there permanently.
Check for restrictions in your leases, tenancies, insurance or mortgage to prevent you letting out your property to someone else. All tenants should speak to their landlord before letting anyone stay in their home. Council tenants are not permitted to let the whole of a Council rented property.
Am I likely to get planning permission to convert a house or flat to a short term/holiday let?
Short term letting can disturb neighbours, with visitors creating noise, sometimes at unsociable hours. High turnover of visitors/renters can also impact upon permanent occupiers reducing the sense of community and raising the fear of crime. The short term letting of residential properties also reduces the permanent housing stock.
Current planning policy in the Camden Local Plan is to resist development that changes permanent housing to short stay accommodation/holiday lets. This means applications for whole residential properties to be converted to short term/ holiday lettings are likely to be refused. This includes single-dwelling houses and flats.
If you don't follow these new regulations, this will be considered an unauthorised change of use and planning permission will be needed. The Council will take appropriate enforcement action, which can include serving an Enforcement Notice to stop the use.
If you suspect a property is being used for short term/holiday letting outside of the new regulations, you can report it to us
How do I apply?
You can apply via the national planning portal. To find out what information is required with your application, see making a planning application.
Still not sure whether you need planning permission?
If you need further advice about whether you need planning permission, contact planning advice and information.