A Liberal Democrat MP is calling on the government to bring forward a clampdown on Airbnb and other short lets. 

The government has indicated that the proposed measures – which will mean that homeowners who want to list properties on Airbnb or other short let platforms will have to sign up to a register and may have to secure planning consent before letting out – will be contained in the Renters Reform Bill, scheduled for later this year.

But Bath Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse is pushing for the changes related to Airbnbs to be fast tracked and brought forward separately to give councils this power urgently.

She says: “I have heard from countless constituents deeply frustrated by the noise and disruptions caused by these short-term lets. It is not right that residents have had to put up with this for so long and I welcome the government’s decision to finally take action on it.

“The pace at which these regulations will be brought in is concerning, however. They are long overdue and the lack of urgency the government is displaying needs to change.

“Constituents just trying to get on with their lives are having to put up with noise and other disturbances regularly. This should not be allowed to continue for a moment longer. Saying that we will introduce these changes but you will just have to wait is not good enough.

“The government needs to stop sitting on its hands, fast track the legislation and put a stop to this cycle of disruption that is impacting so many.”

The proposed planning changes would see a planning use class created for short term lets not used as a sole or main home, alongside new permitted development rights, which will mean planning permission is not needed in areas where local authorities choose not to use these planning controls.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove says: “In too many communities we have seen local people pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages by huge numbers of short-term lets.

“I’m determined that we ensure that more people have access to local homes at affordable prices, and that we prioritise families desperate to rent or buy a home of their own close to where they work.

“I have listened to representations from MPs in tourist hot spots and am pleased to launch this consultation to introduce a requirement for planning permissions for short term lets.”

The new proposals come as the Department for Culture Media and Sport also launches a separate consultation on a new registration scheme for short lets.

The scheme aims to “build a picture of how many short-term lets there are and where they are located, to help understand the impact of short-term lets on communities.”

There has been broad support for a registration scheme across the short lets sector. 

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer comments: “This new world of ultra-flexible short term lets gives tourists more choice than ever before, but it should not come at the expense of local people being able to own their own home and stay local.

“The government wants to help areas get the balance right, and today we have an incomplete picture of the size and spread of our short term lets market. This consultation on a national registration scheme will give us the data we need to assess the position and enable us to address the concerns communities face.”