Short-Term Let Register England, March 2027: What Holiday Let Owners Need to Do Now

England finally has a date to plan around. On 2 October 2026, GOV.UK updated its guidance for the short-term register. It now says the UK government is introducing a mandatory national registration scheme for short-term lets in England, and that "it is expected to begin in March 2027."

That's a firm target, but the scheme isn't live yet. GOV.UK still heads the section "Register your property (not yet in force)." There's no portal to sign up to today and no registration number to collect. This guide covers what we actually know, what's still unconfirmed, and the practical steps holiday let owners and property managers in England can take now so March 2027 is routine rather than a scramble.

What GOV.UK says about the short-term let register in England

The key wording comes from the GOV.UK page Letting out a self-catering holiday home in England: rules and regulations:

"The UK government is introducing a mandatory short-term lets register in England. It is expected to begin in March 2027."

The page's update log for 2 October 2026 says the section was changed "to state that the mandatory national registration scheme is now expected to begin in March 2027." Earlier versions of the page only said it was expected to begin in 2026.

Where the power comes from

The legal basis is section 228 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. It requires the Secretary of State to make regulations for registering specified short-term rental properties in England. Those regulations (secondary legislation) set out how the scheme actually works, so the detail lives there and not in the Act.

What is still unconfirmed

GOV.UK's earlier statement, Delivering a registration scheme for short-term lets, says the scheme will be delivered "primarily online." Details such as who administers it, how often you re-register and what information is collected were left to the detailed design stage. Until the regulations and full guidance are published, treat the following as not yet confirmed:

• Whether there will be a registration fee, and how much
• Exactly what documents or declarations the form will ask for
• How often registration has to be renewed
• Which properties are exempt, if any
• How booking platforms and councils will use the register
• Any penalties for not registering

We won't guess at fees or fines. If you see figures quoted elsewhere, check them against GOV.UK first.

Registration is not a licence: England vs Scotland and Wales

One of the most common mix-ups is treating "UK short-term let rules" as one system. They aren't.

• England: a national registration scheme, expected to begin March 2027.
• Scotland: short-term let licensing through local councils is already in place (see gov.scot).
• Wales: Wales is developing its own scheme for visitor accommodation, separate from England's.
• Northern Ireland: has its own certification arrangements for tourist accommodation.

If your properties are in more than one nation, plan for each nation separately.

What holiday let owners in England should do now

The register is the new part, but most of the safety and planning rules behind it already apply today. Getting them in order now is useful whatever the final form asks for.

1. Get a written fire risk assessment

If you let to paying guests, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies. GOV.UK's guide Making your small paying guest accommodation safe from fire says you must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and record the findings. In practice, that means writing it down, and reviewing it when anything changes, such as a layout change, new furniture or a new heating system.

2. Keep gas safety records current

Where there are gas appliances, an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer is the standard expectation for lets. Keep the latest record and diary the renewal date. The GOV.UK holiday-home guidance covers gas safety for self-catering properties.

3. Check your electrical safety evidence

Keep evidence of electrical safety, such as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and PAT records for portable appliances where relevant. Check the GOV.UK holiday-home page for the current expectations for your type of property. If you're unsure, note it as "owner to confirm" and ask a qualified electrician.

4. Confirm your planning position

Registering will not grant planning permission. In London, using a home as temporary sleeping accommodation for more than 90 nights a calendar year generally needs planning permission (Deregulation Act 2015, s.44, and London City Hall guidance). Outside London, check with your local planning authority whether your use needs consent.

5. Organise ownership and property records

Whatever the form ends up asking, you'll almost certainly need basic details about the property, the owner or manager, and how it's let. Put title or lease details, insurance, safety certificates and contact details in one place now.

6. Set up a certificate diary

Most compliance failures come down to an expired certificate nobody noticed, not a rule nobody knew about. Put a renewal date against every certificate and give it an owner. If you're a property manager, do this per property.

A simple timeline to March 2027

Now to end of 2026

• Complete or review your written fire risk assessment
• Gather current gas and electrical certificates
• Confirm your planning position (especially London lets)

Early 2027

• Watch GOV.UK for the secondary legislation and the registration guidance
• Check what the form asks for against what you've gathered
• Fill any gaps before the scheme opens

March 2027 onwards

• Register each property once the scheme opens, following the official GOV.UK instructions
• Keep your certificate diary running so renewals don't slip

How RentReg can help (free)

RentReg is a free tool for UK holiday let owners and property managers. It helps you keep your compliance paperwork organised by nation. You can track fire risk assessments, gas and electrical certificates and renewal dates in one place, ready for when England's register opens.

Try RentReg free at rentreg.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

When does the short-term let register start in England?

GOV.UK says the mandatory national registration scheme for short-term lets in England is expected to begin in March 2027. As of October 2026 it is still marked "not yet in force."

Can I register my holiday let in England now?

No. There's no live portal yet. Watch GOV.UK for official instructions, and be wary of any service that claims to "pre-register" you on the government scheme.

Will there be a fee to register?

The government has not confirmed fees. Wait for the regulations and official guidance.

Does registration replace planning permission?

No. Registration and planning are separate. London's 90-night rule and local planning requirements still apply.

Do I need a fire risk assessment before the register opens?

Yes, if you let to paying guests. Under GOV.UK's fire guidance, the duty to carry out and record a fire risk assessment applies now.

Does the England register apply in Scotland or Wales?

No. Scotland has its own licensing scheme and Wales is developing its own approach. The England register covers England only.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Letting out a self-catering holiday home in England: rules and regulations (updated 2 Oct 2026): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/letting-out-a-self-catering-holiday-home-in-england-rules-and-regulations
• GOV.UK: Delivering a registration scheme for short-term lets: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/delivering-a-registration-scheme-for-short-term-lets
• Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, s.228: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/55/section/228/enacted
• GOV.UK: Making your small paying guest accommodation safe from fire: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-your-small-paying-guest-accommodation-safe-from-fire/making-your-small-paying-guest-accommodation-safe-from-fire-accessible
• Deregulation Act 2015, s.44: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/20/section/44

RentReg is not a law firm and this article is not legal advice. Check the official guidance for your nation and property.

Owner checks before publishing

• [ ] Wales and NI one-liners: confirm current wording (owner to confirm)
• [ ] Gas/EICR lines: check against the current GOV.UK holiday-home page