Worldwide Shift Toward Registered Short-Term Rentals — Is the UK Next?

For over a decade, the short-term rental (STR) market felt like a modern gold rush. If you had a spare room or an empty flat, you could list it, welcome guests, and get paid—often with very little oversight.

But in 2025/2026, the "Wild West" era of hosting is officially coming to a close.

From New York City to the European Union, governments are rolling out mandatory registration schemes that strip away anonymity and demand compliance. For UK hosts watching these headlines, the big question is: Are we next?

The short answer is yes. Here is what is happening globally and how you can prepare for the inevitable changes coming to British shores.

The Global Context: The "Data-Sharing" Era

To understand where the UK is heading, we have to look at where the rest of the world has already gone. The trend is moving decisively toward transparency and enforcement.

1. New York City’s Local Law 18

New York recently implemented one of the strictest registration laws in the world (Local Law 18). It forces hosts to register with the city and—crucially—bars platforms like Airbnb from processing payments for unregistered listings. The result? Thousands of illegal listings vanished overnight. The message was clear: if the city doesn't know you exist, you cannot do business.

2. The EU’s Unified Registry (2026)

The European Union has adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/1028, which creates a harmonized registration system across member states. By May 2026, platforms will be legally required to share host data (activity, revenue, and location) directly with national authorities. This ends the game of "hide and seek" regarding taxes and night caps.

The UK Situation: It’s Not "If," It’s "When"

While the UK is no longer in the EU, it is facing the exact same pressures: a housing shortage, complaints about "party houses," and a desire to level the playing field with hotels.

Both the previous Conservative government and the current Labour administration have signaled strong support for regulating the sector. Here is what is currently on the table for England (with Scotland and Wales already further ahead):

1. The Mandatory National Register

The government has confirmed plans for a mandatory registration scheme for all short-term lets in England.

  • What it means: You will likely need to log your property on a central government database to get a unique registration number.

  • The catch: To get that number, you will almost certainly need to prove you meet health and safety standards (gas safety, electrical reports, fire risk assessments).

  • The timeline: While exact dates are being finalized, industry experts expect this to "go live" in parallel with other housing reforms around 2026.

2. A New Planning "Use Class"

Currently, a standard home is Use Class C3. The government is proposing a new class (often referred to as C5 or a specific STR class) for properties used exclusively for short-term letting.

  • Why it matters: If your local council adopts this, you might need to apply for planning permission to change your property from a "home" to a "short-term let."

  • The "90-Day" Safety Valve: Proposals suggest that if you only rent out your main home for fewer than 90 nights a year, you likely won't need planning permission—but you will still need to register.

What This Means for You

The shift toward registration sounds scary, but it is actually a massive opportunity for professional, conscientious hosts.

The "Casuals" Will Leave

When registration becomes mandatory, the "hobbyist" hosts who don't want to pay for gas safety checks or declare their income to HMRC often exit the market. This reduces supply and leaves more market share for legitimate, professional hosts.

Safety Becomes Your Selling Point

In a registered world, safety isn't just a box to tick—it's a marketing asset. Guests (and corporate bookers) will increasingly look for that registration number as a "seal of approval" that your property is safe, legal, and legitimate.

How to Prepare Now (Before the Rush)

Don't wait for the government website to launch (and crash) on day one. You can "future-proof" your business right now:

  1. Get Your Paperwork in Order: If you were audited tomorrow, could you produce a valid Gas Safety Certificate, an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report), and a Fire Risk Assessment? If not, get them done now.

  2. Audit Your Listing: ensure your listing accurately reflects your property to avoid disputes.

  3. Watch Your Local Council: Some areas (like London with its 90-day rule and Edinburgh with its control areas) are already enforcing strict rules. Stay plugged into local planning news.

The Bottom Line

The worldwide shift isn't about banning Airbnb; it's about professionalizing it. The days of flying under the radar are ending. By embracing transparency now, you position yourself not as a "gig economy side-hustle," but as a compliant, professional accommodation provider ready for the future.

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