SLAMMING DOOR ON HOLIDAY LETS

Fears for tourism as '7,000 short-term rental properties will shut when new law comes in'

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

ALMOST all of the Irish Self-Catering Federation's 7,000 members will be shut down when new laws on short-term lets come into place, it has been warned.

This comes as the federation says all of its members are “effectively illegal” due to emergency legislation last month to extend Rent Pressure Zones to the entire country.

Since then, thousands of short-term accommodation owners now need planning permission to legally run their business.

And now new proposed legislation would see this planning permission for short-term lettings in cities and many towns around the country banned.

The Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill, which would ensure compliance with the new EU Short Term Rental Regulation, will create a register of short-term lets by May 2026.

LEGISLATION

Hosts offering accommodation up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Failte Ireland.