Understanding the Legal Landscape: Key Regulations for Short and Mid-Term Letting in London

Short and mid-term letting in London offer property owners a fantastic way to generate income, but navigating the legal landscape can be overwhelming. From the 90-day rule for short-term lets to ensuring compliance for longer, mid-term arrangements, there are many factors to keep in mind. Missing just one regulation could result in costly penalties. This is where a professional hosting company like Fairway Hosting steps in to take the pressure off, ensuring that all legal requirements are managed efficiently, whether you're renting out for a few days or several months.

With Fairway Hosting, you’ll benefit from the expertise of a small, highly professional team led by a London-based property expert. Unlike larger corporations that outsource management overseas, we provide local expertise and a personalised service, ensuring you get hands-on support from professionals who know the London rental market inside out. Here's why relying on Fairway is the best way to navigate the legalities of both short and mid-term letting:

1. 90-Day Rule for Short-Term Letting

For short-term lets, London’s 90-day rule states that a property can be rented for short stays (less than 90 days) for a maximum of 90 days per calendar year without requiring planning permission. Many property owners may overlook this, risking fines and penalties for exceeding the limit.

Fairway Hosting will ensure your property complies with the 90-day rule. We track your bookings, so you don’t have to worry about going over the limit, and can also assist with securing planning permission if you wish to extend beyond 90 days.

2. Mid-Term Letting Compliance

Mid-term letting—renting your property for a period longer than 90 days but typically under six months—requires a different approach. While it avoids the constraints of the 90-day rule, mid-term lets come with their own set of considerations, such as tenancy agreements, tax implications, and tenant rights.

Fairway Hosting handles all the details for mid-term lets, ensuring your property is properly managed for longer stays. This includes setting up appropriate contracts, ensuring tenants understand their responsibilities, and making sure the property remains in top condition throughout the tenancy. By choosing Fairway, you avoid the complexities of managing mid-term lets yourself and enjoy hassle-free income while they take care of the administration.

3. Health and Safety Compliance – Sorted by the Experts

Whether short or mid-term, you need to ensure your property meets all health and safety regulations.

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the property meets health and safety standards. Some key requirements include:

● Gas Safety: You must have a gas safety certificate that confirms all gas appliances in the property have been inspected and are safe to use. This certificate must be renewed annually and shared with your tenants.

● Electrical Safety: An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be conducted every five years to check that electrical installations in your property are safe.

● Fire Safety: Working smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the property, and a carbon monoxide detector must be installed in any room with a solid fuel-burning appliance.

Additionally, you need to provide tenants with clear instructions on what to do in case of a fire and ensure that any furniture provided complies with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations.

Fairway Hosting takes care of all the health and safety requirements, from organising annual gas safety checks to ensuring smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are properly installed. Our expert team keeps everything up to date, so you don’t have to worry about missing any critical safety checks.

4. Waste and Recycling Regulations

London councils have strict regulations regarding waste disposal and recycling, which also apply to short and mid-term lets. It’s essential to provide clear instructions to guests on how to handle waste and recycling during their stay to avoid fines. Properly labelled bins, clear guidance on local collection days, and preventing overflowing rubbish are all crucial to staying compliant.

However, managing these details yourself can be time-consuming and easy to overlook. Fairway Hosting takes care of all waste management responsibilities for you. They’ll ensure that bins are properly labelled, provide clear instructions to guests, and monitor collection schedules so your property always remains compliant with council regulations.

5. Local Licensing Requirements – No Surprises

Depending on the borough in which your property is located, you may need a specific licence for short-term lets. Some London boroughs have implemented selective licensing schemes to regulate the number of short-term rental properties in their area.

For example, Westminster and Camden councils have strict short-term letting policies, requiring property owners to apply for specific licences or face penalties. It’s essential to check with your local council to see if such a scheme applies to your property.

Fairway Hosting, with its team of local experts, will manage all the licensing paperwork for you, ensuring your property complies with local requirements for both short and mid-term lets. Their agile approach and in-depth understanding of the London property market mean you’ll always stay ahead of any regulatory changes.

6. Stress-Free Tax Compliance

Renting out your property on a short or mid-term basis can complicate your tax obligations. Whether it’s declaring rental income or taking advantage of the Rent a Room Scheme, understanding your tax responsibilities is crucial.

Fairway Hosting can guide you through the tax implications of both short and mid-term letting, ensuring you don’t miss any critical filings or opportunities for tax relief. They also work with specialists who will ensure you comply with UK tax laws, saving you from costly errors.

7. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong? Fairway Has You Covered

One of the biggest concerns for property owners is managing issues that arise while the property is rented out. Whether it's a maintenance problem during a short-term let or a tenant dispute during a mid-term rental, these issues can be time-consuming and difficult to handle, especially if you're not based in London.

With Fairway Hosting, you won’t have to worry about the day-to-day challenges. Our team is on the ground to manage any issues, from handling guest complaints during short-term lets to coordinating repairs during mid-term tenancies. This peace of mind is one of the biggest benefits of partnering with a local, highly professional company rather than trying to manage everything remotely or outsourcing to a larger, less personal corporation.

8. Avoid the Dangers of Missing Key Legal Requirements

Coordinating all the regulations and responsibilities yourself can be overwhelming. Missing a safety check, licensing requirement, or tax deadline can quickly turn a profitable let into a costly headache. Both short and mid-term lets come with a range of legalities that can easily slip through the cracks if you’re managing everything alone.

Fairway Hosting takes this burden off your shoulders, providing a fully comprehensive service that covers all aspects of short and mid-term letting. Our local expertise ensures every detail is covered, from planning and licensing to guest communication and property maintenance. You’ll never have to worry about missing a critical regulation or deadline, and your property will always be in safe hands.

Conclusion

By partnering with Fairway Hosting, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing that every aspect of your short or mid-term letting is managed professionally and efficiently. Let their small, agile team of local experts handle the complexities, so you can enjoy a smooth, stress-free rental experience.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.