Recommendations on short-term lets to be considered

Councillors will vote on proposals to gather more data on the number of short-term lets in the city and lobby government to introduce new powers to manage the sector.

The number of short-term lets in Brighton & Hove is currently unclear and with significant pressure on the supply of local housing and concerns over other associated problems, we're keen to better understand the landscape locally and act to address any challenges. 

Members of our Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee last year established a Task and Finish group to explore issues relating to short-term lets in the city.

Its findings and recommendations have been presented and endorsed by the committee and will now be discussed by Cabinet when it meets at Hove Town Hall on 26 June.

Government could be approached for extra powers

Recommendations include lobbying government for additional powers, as well as a licensing scheme that would include an obligation on the part of the operator to provide evidence each property meets specific health and safety standards.

Landlords would also be required to show properties were registered correctly as a business, with arrangements in place for waste management, tax and business rates, parking and insurance.

Other recommendations include looking at successful initiatives launched by councils elsewhere in the UK, exploring the possibility of introducing zones where short-term let developments would be restricted, and considering preventing new builds from being used full-time as short-term lets.

Pilot scheme interest

The report also confirms we have registered interest in taking part in a government pilot for a short-term lets registration scheme.

Positive benefits created by the sector are also outlined in the report, including providing greater flexibility in terms of accommodation available to visitors.

Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Finance and City Regeneration, said: “Brighton & Hove is a city with a vibrant and thriving tourism economy, and short-term lets can provide benefits, such as generating income for local businesses or delivering additional bed capacity, enabling the city to host large-scale events.

“However, without regulation, the rapidly growing short-term lets sector impacts the housing supply for our city’s residents, as fewer properties are available either for sale or long-term rent, especially in areas with high housing demand.”

Important to build a better picture

Councillor Taylor continued: “The nature of short-term lets can also negatively impact neighbours and settled communities by causing noise nuisance, attracting anti-social behaviour, putting pressure on limited parking, leaving rubbish out incorrectly and even endangering visitors due to lack of correct fire and gas safety measures.

“It is important we work together with the sector to build a better picture of the local situation, lobby government for more powers to help manage it, and do all we can to make sure we’re striking the right balance between supporting our important visitor economy and minimising any negative impact on our residents.”

Councillors will vote on the proposals during the meeting, which will be live streamed via the council’s YouTube channel.