| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Proposed / pending |
| Permit / License Required | National registration pending; planning permission needed beyond 90 nights |
| Tax Rate | Income tax at standard rates; 100% council tax premium possible on second homes |
| Night / Day Cap | 90 nights per calendar year for whole-property lets in Greater London |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum; cap applies to lets under 90 consecutive nights |
| Permit Fee | England register fee expected; not yet confirmed |
| Primary Residence Required | No, but 90-night cap applies to whole-property lets without planning consent |
Short-term rental regulations in London, England are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: National registration pending; planning permission needed beyond 90 nights. The associated permit fees are England register fee expected; not yet confirmed.
Short-term rental operators in London should be aware of these tax obligations: Income tax at standard rates; 100% council tax premium possible on second homes. Yes - income taxed under standard residential rules.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in London include: Primary residence requirement: No, but 90-night cap applies to whole-property lets without planning consent. Rental day cap: 90 nights per calendar year for whole-property lets in Greater London. Minimum stay: No minimum; cap applies to lets under 90 consecutive nights.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in London: Beyond 90 nights requires planning permission; boroughs likely early users of Article 4 directions. Density rules: Leasehold flats often prohibit STR; boroughs targeting non-compliant listings. Insurance: Yes - expected as part of registration/compliance.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in London: Under proposed national register, platforms to verify/display registration numbers.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Short-term rental regulations in London are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is reportedly exploring a new tax on overnight visitors, which would apply to hotels and short-term rentals. No formal proposal or legislation has been confirmed. STR hosts sho
Yes. London requires the following for short-term rental operation: National registration pending; planning permission needed beyond 90 nights.
Short-term rental hosts in London are subject to the following tax obligations: Income tax at standard rates; 100% council tax premium possible on second homes.
1. Mayor Khan reportedly considering overnight visitor levy for London. 2. Would apply to STRs as well as hotels if implemented. 3. No formal proposal, bill, or vote has been confirmed. 4. Context: England is separately considering a nationwide overnight visitor levy (already tracked).
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