The Current Position in England
As of April 2026, England does not operate a single mandatory short-term let registration or licensing scheme in the same way that Scotland introduced in 2023. However, the UK government has made clear that it intends to introduce a registration scheme for short-term lets in England, and the direction of travel is toward greater oversight and documentation requirements for holiday let operators.
In the meantime, a number of related changes have already come into force that affect Devon holiday let owners directly:
- Fire Risk Assessment requirements (October 2023). A written, property-specific Fire Risk Assessment became a legal requirement for all paying guest accommodation in England. This already applies to Devon holiday lets regardless of any future registration scheme.
- Business rates eligibility tightened (April 2023). Properties must now be actually let for at least 70 nights and available for at least 140 nights per year to qualify for small business rates rather than council tax. Local authorities may increasingly use registration data to verify this.
- Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This Act gave local authorities new powers to require planning permission for the change of use from a primary residence to a short-term let — a power that some Devon councils may choose to exercise, particularly in areas with high tourist demand and housing pressure.
What a Registration Scheme Might Mean for Devon Owners
Based on the government's consultation and the Scottish model, a future English registration scheme is likely to require:
Property registration
Each short-term let would need to be registered with a central body or local authority, likely with a unique registration number to be displayed on listings.
Safety certificate submission
Evidence of CP12, EICR, smoke alarm testing and potentially a written Fire Risk Assessment would likely be required as part of registration.
Periodic renewal
Registration would likely be tied to certificate renewals, creating an ongoing obligation to maintain documentation and keep records up to date.
Verification and inspection
Local authorities or a national body may have powers to inspect properties and withdraw registration if safety standards are not met.
The Devon and Dartmoor Context
Devon is one of the most popular holiday letting destinations in England, with a high concentration of short-term lets in coastal towns, market towns and across Dartmoor and Exmoor. This makes it one of the areas most likely to see early or proactive implementation of any registration or planning requirement.
Several Devon local authorities have already expressed interest in using new planning powers to manage the concentration of short-term lets in specific areas. Owners in towns such as Salcombe, Dartmouth, Padstow (just across the border in Cornwall) and rural Dartmoor locations should be aware that local rules could arrive before any national scheme.
The practical implication for Devon owners is that getting existing compliance documentation in good order now — before any requirement is formally introduced — is both low-risk and directly useful. A well-documented property is easier to register, easier to insure, and more straightforward to manage through an agent.
Already required today
Whether or not a registration scheme is introduced, Devon holiday let owners are already legally required to have a current Gas Safety Certificate, a written Fire Risk Assessment, working smoke and CO alarms, and a Legionella risk assessment in place. These are not optional — and many insurers and letting agents require an EICR too.
How to Prepare Now
The most practical response to an uncertain regulatory environment is to build the compliance habits that will be required anyway. The steps below put Devon owners in the strongest possible position:
- Get existing certificates organised digitally. CP12, EICR, PAT testing records and your Fire Risk Assessment should be held in a single accessible folder — not just in a welcome pack at the property. A registration body is likely to ask for digital copies.
- Complete a written Fire Risk Assessment if you haven't already. This is already a legal requirement for paying guest accommodation. If yours is out of date or was done before significant changes to the property, it needs reviewing.
- Track expiry dates for all certificates. A registration system that ties renewal to certificate expiry will require you to have a clear picture of when each document is due. Setting calendar reminders or using a compliance coordinator means nothing slips.
- Consider a compliance audit to create a baseline. A structured, photo-verified compliance check gives you a documented starting point — useful not just for a future registration body but for insurers, letting agents and your own peace of mind.
Further Guidance for Devon Holiday Let Owners
Each of the core compliance areas has its own practical requirements and common questions. The guides below cover the main certificates and checks in plain language:
Fire Safety for Devon Holiday Lets →
FRA requirements, alarms, escape routes and fire doors.
Gas Safety (CP12) for Devon Holiday Lets →
Annual check requirements, what engineers look for and record keeping.
Electrical Safety and EICR →
EICR, PAT testing and what to expect from an electrical inspection.
Holiday Let Compliance Audit →
All compliance areas reviewed together in a single on-site inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a short-term let registration scheme currently apply in Devon?
As of 2026, England does not yet have a single mandatory short-term let registration scheme in force, though the government has signalled its intention to introduce one. Scotland launched a licensing scheme for short-term lets in 2023. Devon holiday let owners should monitor announcements from DCMS and their local authority — requirements may be introduced at national or local level with relatively short lead times.
What is a short-term let for registration purposes?
A short-term let is generally defined as a residential property rented to guests for periods of less than 31 consecutive nights. This covers the majority of holiday cottages, seaside apartments and rural retreats offered through platforms such as Airbnb, Sykes Cottages and direct bookings. The precise definition may vary depending on how a future scheme is structured.
What compliance documents should I have ready now?
Regardless of registration requirements, Devon holiday let owners should currently hold: a current Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) if the property has gas; a valid EICR; a written Fire Risk Assessment (required since October 2023); working smoke and CO alarms; evidence of Legionella risk assessment; and up-to-date PAT testing records. Having these organised and accessible puts you in the strongest position for any future registration process.
Could a registration scheme affect my council tax or business rates?
Separate to registration, the government has also tightened the business rates eligibility rules for short-term lets in England. From April 2023, a property must be both actually let for at least 70 nights per year and available to let for at least 140 nights to qualify for small business rates relief rather than council tax. Local authorities may use registration data to verify eligibility. Devon owners should check current guidance with their local authority.
How can I prepare my holiday let for tighter regulation?
The most effective preparation is to get the existing compliance basics right and documented clearly. A compliance audit that reviews CP12, EICR, fire safety, alarms and general property condition creates a clear baseline. It also gives you a photo-verified record of the state of the property at a given date — exactly the kind of evidence that may be required by a future registration body or local authority.
Want a clear view of where your property stands today?
A compliance check reviews your existing certificates and property condition together, creating a photo-verified baseline that supports both current obligations and any future registration requirements.
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