Landlords with holiday lets in Wales will need a licence from 2029 after the Senedd passed the Visitor Accommodation Bill, adding to the regulatory burden facing the sector.
The scheme will initially target self-contained, self-catering accommodation including holiday cottages and flats. To obtain a licence, operators must prove their property meets visitor standards through gas and electrical safety certificates, carbon monoxide alarms and public liability insurance.
Safety and fire risk requirements
Property owners will also need to demonstrate they have conducted a fire risk assessment and taken appropriate precautions – requirements that will be familiar to holiday let operators already dealing with insurance compliance.
Mark Drakeford, Welsh Government cabinet secretary for finance and Welsh language, said: “It’s a significant step towards attracting visitors to Wales, knowing that accommodation meets the standards they would expect.”
He added that many providers already meet these standards, claiming the scheme creates “fair competition that protects both visitors and responsible businesses”.
This follows Residential Landlord’s reporting on how Welsh landlords have faced mounting regulatory pressure since the Renting Homes Act came into force, with nearly half saying the legislation has harmed the sector.
Registration scheme runs alongside licensing
The licensing scheme will run alongside a separate national register of visitor accommodation providers, creating a publicly available directory. England is pursuing a similar short lets registration scheme, with its framework expected to launch earlier.
The 2029 start date gives operators time to prepare, but landlords who let properties across both England and Wales may face different compliance regimes depending on location.
Industry bodies have previously warned that layering licensing on top of existing business rates changes and planning controls risks pushing small operators out of the market entirely.
Opinion
Welsh holiday let landlords now have a clear timeline but plenty to arrange. The safety documentation requirements are reasonable, but the administrative cost of maintaining compliance across multiple properties could squeeze margins for smaller operators. Those relying on holiday lets for portfolio income should factor licensing fees and inspection costs into their projections from 2029 onwards.
