Ireland's Short-Term Let Register Faces Delay Beyond May 20th Deadline
Ireland's plan for a national short-term let register, aimed at boosting long-term rentals, is delayed beyond its May 20th deadline. Legislation is still being drafted, causing concern among TDs over compliance costs for operators. The new system will require planning permission and will restrict new short-term lets in larger towns.
Government plans for a national register for short-term lets, intended to shift properties into the long-term rental market, are facing delays. The register, which would require properties to have appropriate planning permission to list on platforms like Airbnb, was initially slated to come into force on May 20th.
However, legislation for the reforms is still being drafted, with three senior Government sources indicating the deadline will be missed. This delay comes amid backbencher unrest, with Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor, chair of the enterprise and tourism committee, expressing concern over potential “enormous costs” for operators to achieve compliance, either through new planning permission or retention permission for those active over seven years.
The new regime requires a National Planning Statement (NPS) from the Department of Housing and the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill from the Department of Tourism. While the NPS may be agreed by Cabinet next week, the Department of Enterprise confirms legislation drafting is “ongoing.” Missing the May 20th deadline would push implementation past two byelections on May 22nd, potentially into the busy summer tourism period.
The new rules will effectively ban new short-term let planning permissions in towns over 20,000 people. Operators in smaller towns will receive a two-year grace period. It is now expected that even those operating for over seven years will need to apply for retention permission.