The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) has called for relaxation in short term lettings as the debate heads to the House of Lords tomorrow (21 October).
The association has supported government plans to relax the so-called ’90-day rule’ that means London property owners/tenants must seek planning approval before selling as accommodation on a night-by-night basis.
A debate over Clause 34 of the Deregulation Bill to amend Section 25 of the Greater London Council General Powers Acts 1973 and 1983 will take place tomorrow.
James Foice, managing director of ASAP said: “We are telling Peers that ASAP supports government plans to relax the 90-day rule, which has been in place without change for over 30 years, because it is out-of-date, and the short-term rental sector in London has changed beyond recognition.”
While the regulation will look at housing needs in London, the bill also has the potential to affect house-sharing platforms like Airbnb.
“We cannot resist these changes and go back to the past, but instead embrace them and offer visitors to London the widest possible range of accommodation choices. The government must also ensure that safeguards – for example compliance, health and safety and insurance – are in place to give customers the protection they need. We strongly welcome government plans to reform the rules, but politicians need to carefully think through the consequences, and make sure customers get the protection they need,” said Foice.
The serviced apartment sector is worth £500 million of additional revenue for the UK, matching the size of the entire sharing economy in the country.
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