UKH Cymru welcomes govt’s new standards for short-term lets

UKH Cymru has welcomed the Welsh government’s plans to bring short-term lets up to appropriate standards for health and safety, as it will benefit consumers, hospitality businesses and Welsh tourism. 

The news comes after the trade body has long campaigned for a scheme that will bring short-term lets up to the standard of the established accommodation sector. 

This week, the Welsh government announced that it will first introduce a registration scheme, followed by a licensing scheme. 

UKH is in support of the new licensing scheme, providing there will be no “additional red tape or cost placed on well-established and already heavily-regulated businesses” such as hotels and holiday parks. 

David Chapman, executive director of UKH Cymru, said: “I’m pleased that short-term lets will be brought up to the standards of the wider accommodation sector and the introduction of a registration scheme is a positive step to develop a proper understanding of where these businesses are. 

“Not only will it demonstrate just how important our sector is to the Welsh economy, it can also provide additional information and data that may be useful to tackle wider issues, like housing and planning.”

He added: “The Welsh Government has listened closely to the thoughts and concerns of UKHospitality Cymru on the development of this scheme and I look forward to working with them to move this forward.”