Letting agents have warned that proposed new guidelines for short lets in Northern Ireland could make it harder for landlords and letting agents to rent out properties.

The Department for the Economy (DfE) is consulting on reforms that aim to update existing statutory minimum criteria for tourist accommodation and create a new statutory ‘alternative accommodation’ category.

Propertymark says it would make sense to have a category specifically for short-term private rented accommodation to reflect the difference between tourist accommodation and short term lets which are often former long-term rental properties, lived in for longer periods and commonly managed by letting agents. Creating specific criteria could also help improve standards.

Enhanced

Short lets typically include property owners looking for enhanced rental income, greater flexibility of letting, reduced void periods or extra income while travelling or trying to sell a property.

In its consultation response, Propertymark says: “Since this kind of tourist accommodation has some key differences from other types, it is important that any changes and new requirements do not impose undue challenges of agents and landlords renting out their homes to visitors. As such, our response primarily seeks to ensure that the DfE and Tourism NI is aware that some of the requirements could be incompatible with how these lets are organised.”

It welcomes a proposal that owners should start keeping a visitors’ register but wants the department to clarify whether signing a tenancy or letting agreement could work in lieu of a dedicated reception area as a new proposed requirement wants properties to have 'suitable arrangements' for reception, check-in and check-out.

The letting agents body also warns that a proposal that properties must regularly wash linen, duvets and mattress protectors wouldn’t be practical while tenants are living at the property.

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