Short-Term Let Register Delayed to December 1; Operators Must Register by December 31
Ireland's short-term let register, due in May, is delayed until December 1, with operators required to register by December 31. This aims to enforce planning permission for short-term lets in rent pressure zones to increase long-term rentals. The delay has drawn criticism for lack of clarity but was welcomed by some industry groups.
Ireland's short-term let register, initially set for May, has been delayed until December 1, as confirmed by Minister for Enterprise and Tourism Peter Burke and Housing Minister James Browne. All operators will be legally required to register by December 31.
The register aims to enforce a 2019 requirement for property owners in rent pressure zones to obtain change-of-use planning permission for short-term letting of entire houses or apartments. This also applies if a resident owner lets their entire property for over 90 days annually. Providers letting property or rooms for 21 nights or fewer must register with Fáilte Ireland and display their registration number on all listings.
The government previously revised plans, limiting new restrictions to towns with populations over 20,000, instead of the earlier proposed 10,000. A new National Planning Statement and the Short-Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill are expected soon.
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin criticized the delay and lack of clarity on the unpublished bill and planning compliance deadlines, calling it «enormous confusion». The Irish Self-Catering Federation welcomed the delay, citing a need for clarity on planning requirements and alignment with EU implementation. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment stated the policies are part of a strategy to address housing shortages by increasing long-term rental availability while balancing tourism needs.