A report presented to councillors in Brighton and Hove tells them to get more evidence before clamping down on Airbnb-style short lets.

The Brighton and Hove News website says the report tells councillors that proposals to introduce stricter planning rules would need to be justified.

Suggestions include adding clauses to leases for new homes and conversions to prevent them from being used as short-term lets and a proposal to include zones where they would be permitted in planning policies.

The report to councillors says: “It would be beyond the remit of planning to require clauses are added to a lease for new builds and conversions to restrict use as full-time short-term lets. However, if a new policy could be included in the City Plan, a condition or … agreement could be attached to the planning decision, restricting the use as short-term lets.”

It advises the authority to lobby the government for a new planning class for short-term lets and for a licensing scheme requiring registration as a business, with the correct arrangements for tax, business rates, parking, insurance and waste management. The council has already volunteered for a potential pilot project to register properties used as short-term lets.

The report to the council’s cabinet adds: “As a council, we are committed to developing a flourishing and inclusive local economy that is a distinctive place for people to visit. Alongside this, we want to be a fair and inclusive city for residents where everyone has access to decent quality affordable housing.

“As a tourist destination, short-term lets have been a feature for many years and in many areas. We want to take a balanced approach to this complex and important issue that both supports our tourist and visitor economy and prevents negative impacts to the city’s housing supply.”