The short-term and holiday rental market has exploded in recent years across UK hotspots like Liverpool. Drawn by the income potential and flexible lifestyles, droves of investors have added service apartments, second homes and dedicated holiday lets to marketplaces like Airbnb.
However, while convenient and lucrative, using properties for short-term accommodation does involve important legal and compliance considerations before listing. Failure to adhere to key holiday let rules and restrictions in Liverpool can jeopardise financing, prompt penalties or risk guest disputes.
Local Authority Registration and Planning Permits
Unlike long-term residential tenancies, Liverpool City Council designates short-term rentals as businesses requiring formal approvals before hosting paying guests under tourist accommodation guidelines. Specifically, owners must register as an official business with Liverpool City Council and adhere to commercial property usage laws. Failure to switch a property’s classification or secure applicable permits can prompt fines, disrupt guest stays and risk account suspension from sites like Airbnb.Planning Permission
New rules introduced by the UK government in April 2023 require planning permissions for short-term lets in tourist hot spots. This measure is to support local communities in areas where high numbers of holiday lets are preventing affordable housing availability.Guest Safety and Security Audits
Holiday let properties also face stricter compliance with Liverpool City Council health and safety protocols. Owners must arrange professional audits and upgrades across:- Fire Safety – Emergency escape procedures, extinguishers, signage, alarms and detection
- Gas and Electric – Certified electrical safety inspections and gas system pressure tests
- Legionella – Risk assessments and water system disinfection
- Asbestos – Testing and removal surveys
- Insurance – Suitable public liability cover for holiday letting
Licensing
Certain districts in Liverpool may require additional short-term rental licences before hosting guests at properties. Check if your postcode falls into a licensable area. Securing a licence also demands meeting expectations around maximum guest numbers, safety and security minimum standards and zone parking permits.Guest Management Policies
To minimise neighbourhood disruptions in Liverpool, holiday lets must enforce clear guest rules and restrictions aligned to rental agreements including:Noise curfews
Establish quiet hours from 10pm to 8am daily in line with any strata or building rules. Request guests to avoid loud music, parties, gatherings and shouting etc. during these periods to avoid disturbing neighbours.Maximum guest numbers
Based on bedrooms/beds, determine a fair occupancy limit aligned to safety regulations. Lock off unused rooms if needed to deter overcrowding risks.No smoking
Forbid smoking indoors to avoid lingering smells and stains that will irritate subsequent guests. Designate a sheltered outdoor area they can use instead if required.Pet policy
Determine rules on allowing pets based on considerations like hard floors vs carpets, shared spaces in apartments and exterior areas for dogs. Charge elevated cleaning fees for hairy visitors. Also address common short-term rental issues upfront like security deposits for damages and minimum rental periods during events and peak seasons.Tax Obligations
In Liverpool, certain areas require landlords to have a licence under the Landlord Licensing scheme. This scheme aims to ensure landlords are ‘fit and proper’ and covers rented short-term lets. There are specific space requirements per occupant, and the licence can be granted for up to five years. Short-term lets are also subject to different tax treatments, such as Income Tax or Business Tax, and VAT considerations if the turnover exceeds the registration threshold of £85,000 per annum.Partnering with Holiday Letting Specialists
Navigating the complex maze of legal issues, guest management and hands-on responsibilities involved in short-term accommodation can devour investor time and energy. An easier approach is partnering with a holiday let management company Liverpool like 53 Degrees Property. Our team specialises in maximising returns for short-term rental owners through end-to-end property oversight aligning to all regulations. We handle licensing, guest communications, cleaning, compliance and 24/7 support so you can earn worry-free income. Discover how our holiday lets management services optimise occupancy rates and unlock earning potential!Get your FREE Holiday Let Valuation below!
Please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours by call or email with an estimate of what your property could make you as an Holiday Let managed by 53 Degrees Property.
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