EDITOR'S COMMENT
• The short-term rental sector is stuck between a rock and a hard place - it brings a significant portion of revenue into local and national economies, but yet, it is often seen to be a scapegoat for wider housing issues. Regulations are rarely out of the headlines and the announcement that new controls on short-term lets in England are on the way has once again stirred a debate.
Under the reforms, local councils will have more power to limit short-term lets in their areas, a mandatory national register will be introduced, and a new planning ‘use class’ will be created, although the reforms will not apply to hotels, B&Bs or hostels. As the government bids to deliver one million homes in England, one can't help but feel that it is fuelling a negative narrative that the sector is the sole contributor to an affordable housing crisis and an emotive rhetoric that communities are being "hollowed out", while the home construction rate is too slow, the wealth gap is widening, and population numbers are shooting up.
There is broadly a consensus that there needs to be more transparency and standardisation across the sector, so in essence, a registration scheme can drive these standards up. Where opinions differ between the government and trade associations, however, is how these controls are delivered and whether they are proportionate.
What we really need is an holistic view of the housing crisis in this country, one that accounts for factors such as employment, housing supply and housing need to deliver a comprehensive and informed registration scheme that does not single out one hospitality sector over others. Incidentally, I am moderating a panel on this very subject at next week's VRMA European Conference in Paris - book your tickets now and we'll see you there.
• Our next webinar tomorrow on 'Building a strong company culture in the era of remote work' is relevant to everyone in short-term rentals and the travel / hospitality sectors in general. Sign up at this link to hear from our expert speakers: Pierre-Camille Hamana [Hospitable]; Sophie Fourteau [Ukio]; Madi Rifkin [Mount]; and Camila Ramirez [GoCamp].
• Submit your no-cost entries now for the 2024 Shortyz Awards in any of the 20 categories - including our new Team of the Year Award - by next Monday 4 March at our dedicated platform here. Click here for the overview of the categories and their criteria.
Read our advice article on how to craft the perfect Shortyz entries at this link.
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