40 year old law to change to allow London home owners to let short term
New measures are to be introduced that will end outdated rules from the 1970s preventing London residents from renting out their own homes on a short term basis to visitors.
Currently under 40 year old laws dating from the time of the GLC (Greater London Council), Londoners who want to rent out their homes for less than three months technically still have to apply for planning permission from the council, something that doesn’t apply anywhere else in the UK.
These provisions caused controversy during the 2012 Olympics, and are irregularly enforced by different London boroughs leading to confusion.
Ministers now want to change this archaic system through a measure in the Deregulation Bill, giving Londoners the freedom to rent out their homes on a temporary basis, such when they are on holiday, without having to deal with unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy of paying of a council permit.
The measure will not allow homes to be turned into hotels or hostels as this would still require ‘change of use’ planning permission, and measures will be put in place to prevent abuse of such reforms or the permanent loss of residential accommodation, said Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.
He explained that the reforms will not just benefit London’s strong tourism industry by expanding the pool of competitively priced accommodation, but allow families to earn some extra cash when they themselves go away.
These reforms follow changes introduced last year to make it easier for residents to rent out an unused home parking space to earn extra money, helping expand the availability of parking options for commuters and visitors.
‘The internet is changing the way we work and live, and the law needs to catch up. We have already reformed the rules on renting out your unused parking spaces, now we want to do the same regarding renting out your home for a short period,’ said Pickles.
‘It’s time to change the outdated, impractical and restrictive laws from the 1970s, open up London’s homes to visitors and allow Londoners to make some extra cash,’ he added.
The provisions are set out under section 25 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1973, and only apply to London.
Following a consultation, ministers intend to amend these rules to give home owners greater freedom while retaining the protection that ensure homes built for Londoners are not used solely for short term letting. The amendment will be introduced through the Deregulation Bill.