If you’re setting up as a new holiday let host in the UK, there isn’t a single “registration portal” like in some countries, but there are several key registrations and compliance steps you need to complete.
Here’s a clear, practical checklist:
1. Register your business (if applicable)
Sole trader (most common)
Register with HM Revenue & Customs
Deadline:
By 5 October after your first tax year of income
You’ll file a Self-Assessment tax return annually.
Limited company (optional)
Register with Companies House
Then also register with HMRC for Corporation Tax
Typically used if:
You plan to scale multiple properties
You want tax structuring flexibility
2. Check if your property qualifies as a holiday let
To be treated as a Furnished Holiday Let (FHL) (important for tax benefits), your property must:
Be available for letting: 210+ days/year
Actually let: 105+ days/year
Not let long-term (>31 days) for more than 155 days total
FHL status affects:
Tax reliefs
Mortgage eligibility
Business rates vs council tax
3. Register for council tax or business rates
You must inform your local council.
Two possibilities:
A. Small / low occupancy
Pay Council Tax
B. Qualifying FHL
Switch to Business Rates
May qualify for:
Small Business Rate Relief (often 100%)
This is a major cost advantage if eligible.
4. Safety & legal compliance (mandatory)
You must comply with safety regulations:
Gas
Annual check by Gas Safe engineer
Provide certificate to guests
Fire safety
Smoke alarms on every floor
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire risk assessment
Electrical
Strongly recommended:
EICR every 5 years
5. Insurance (essential, not optional in practice)
Standard home insurance usually won’t cover short-term lets.
You need:
Holiday let insurance
Public liability cover
6. Planning permission (critical in some areas)
Depends on location:
England (general)
No change needed for occasional letting
High-control areas (e.g.)
London:
90-night annual limit without permission
Some local councils:
Require change of use for full-time Airbnb-style letting
7. Upcoming registration scheme (important)
The UK government is introducing a national registration scheme for short-term lets (expected rollout soon).
This will likely require:
Registering each property
Providing safety & compliance info
Not fully live yet, but worth preparing for.
8. Tax basics you need to know
You’ll pay:
Income tax on profits
You can deduct:
Cleaning
Utilities
Platform fees (e.g. Airbnb)
Maintenance
If FHL-qualified, extra benefits include:
Capital allowances
Pension contributions treated as earnings
9. Optional but recommended registrations
ICO (data protection)
If handling guest data → register with Information Commissioner’s Office
PAT testing
For electrical appliances (best practice)
Quick startup checklist
✔ Register with HMRC
✔ Notify council (council tax vs business rates)
✔ Set up insurance
✔ Complete safety checks
✔ Confirm planning rules
✔ Prepare for upcoming national register
Bottom line
There’s no single “holiday let licence” (yet) in most of the UK
But you must register for tax and comply with safety + local rules
The biggest financial lever early on is qualifying for business rates relief
With setting up and running a holiday let having a number of moving parts, hosts need to be knowledgeable now more than ever. If you’d like to delve deeper into the how to set up your short term let the right way, then contact us at Help My Holiday Let for a free consultation.
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