Cornwall has introduced new measures targeting Airbnb-style short-term lets as part of a wider effort to address the region’s deepening housing crisis, which has left over 22,000 people waiting for secure accommodation.
This new legislation would require homeowners to obtain planning permission before converting residential properties into holiday rentals. The bill targets second homeowners who have taken advantage of a ‘loophole’ allowing them to avoid paying council tax by reclassifying their properties as business lets. John Brown, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said the bill was “not a silver bullet”, but that it’s a “start”. According to the BBC, he said there were 14,000 second homes in the county, although 22,000 people are still on the housing waiting list.
Brown welcomed the bill, saying it could restore local housing stock, but emphasised it must be accompanied by stricter regulations and a robust registration system.
He said: “It [the bill] must sit alongside tougher regulation and a robust registration system for short-term lets. If it deters those looking to extract profit from Cornwall without putting anything back – good.
“If it helps restore housing stock for local people, even better. And if it ensures our hospitality and tourism sectors can find workers with secure housing, then it’s a win for all of Cornwall.”
The proposal comes after Cornwall Council introduced measures in 2023 to double council tax for second homes and impose a 100% premium on properties left vacant for over a year.
Carl Tomson, Manager for Airbnb in the UK, argued that most hosts are ordinary people renting out their homes occasionally, and that Airbnb supports the local economy and jobs in Cornwall.
In a statement to The Mirror, he said: “Calls to impose restrictions, red tape, and fees only protect hotel chains’ profits at the expense of local families.
“The vast majority of hosts on Airbnb are everyday people renting their place casually to make a little extra money.
“A typical host in Cornwall shares just one home for fewer than three nights a month, while travel on Airbnb brings £222 million to the Cornish economy and helps keep over 3,500 people in jobs in the area, bringing the benefits of tourism to all.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it plans to address the housing crisis through its Plan for Change, stating that high numbers of second homes and short-term lets can price out locals and harm public services.