Individuals letting out Airbnbs and other short lets in Wales are the latest landlords to be hit with a licensing fee.
They will need a licence and meet a set of standards showing that the accommodation is “fit for visitors” according to new legislation going through the Welsh Parliament.
The new licensing scheme will cover self-contained, self-catering accommodation like holiday cottages and flats. Providers will need to meet a ‘fitness for visitor accommodation’ standard to get a licence, by showing they have gas and electrical safety certificates, insurance, along with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
The Labour administration in Wales claims that nearly two in three people planning UK trips don’t know that holiday let owners don’t currently need a licence. And it says that over 80% of people planning trips in the UK would be more likely to book a holiday let if a licensing scheme existed.
Mark Drakeford, the politicians behind the idea, says: “Visitors are at the heart of this. By reassuring them that visitor accommodation in Wales meets the standards they would expect, we can build confidence in the industry and support our vital tourism sector even further.
“Many businesses already do the right things. By requiring all businesses to show they meet the same standards, we’re creating fair competition that protects both visitors and responsible businesses.”
Drakeford says the licence will begin at “about £75”.
The Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Bill also allows future Welsh Governments to extend licensing to other types of accommodation.
