Holiday Let Registration, Visitor Levies and VAT: What Owners Should Watch in 2026

If you own, or are considering buying, a holiday let in Brighton or Sussex, the regulatory conversation is becoming more important.

There is still uncertainty around the detail, but the direction of travel is clear: short-term accommodation is receiving closer attention from government and local authorities. That does not make well-run holiday letting a bad proposition. It does mean that owners benefit from being organised, informed and realistic about the work involved.

A national registration scheme is expected

The Short Term Accommodation Association has reported that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is continuing work on a short-term lets registration scheme.

The Association expects further industry communication about the planned launch, cost and process in the coming months. The current expectation reported by the STAA is for a go-live around late March or early April, although owners should wait for formal government confirmation before relying on any specific date.

For owners, the sensible response is preparation rather than panic.

Keep clear records of:

property ownership and relevant permissions;
safety certificates and maintenance;
insurance;
occupancy and operational arrangements;
the people or suppliers responsible for guest care, cleaning and changeovers.

A properly prepared holiday home is easier to operate today and better placed to respond to future registration requirements.

Visitor levies are still being debated

Overnight visitor levies continue to be discussed across the UK, with local authorities in Scotland already considering or introducing different approaches.

The important point for owners is that these charges are not yet a uniform national rule. Their structure, exemptions and administration may vary by place. Industry bodies have raised concerns about complexity, the effect on domestic demand and whether levy income is reinvested into the visitor economy.

For a Brighton or Sussex holiday let, this is something to monitor rather than build assumptions around prematurely. If a local visitor levy is introduced in future, owners will need a clear way to explain it to guests, collect it accurately and reflect it properly in their pricing and booking journey.

VAT and operating costs remain a live issue

Hospitality businesses are also continuing to call for a lower VAT rate and changes to employment-cost pressures.

These wider policy questions matter because holiday letting is not simply about a nightly rate. Profitability depends on the full picture: maintenance, utilities, cleaning, linen, insurance, marketing, booking channels, guest support, tax and the time required to run the home well.

The strongest properties are not usually the ones chasing the lowest price. They are the ones that are presented thoughtfully, positioned clearly and operated consistently enough to earn good reviews and repeat demand.

What this means for owners now

The changing landscape reinforces the value of a professional, well-documented approach.

Before launching a holiday let, it is worth asking:

Is the property genuinely suited to guest stays?
Is it presented and equipped to a standard guests will recommend?
Who will manage guest messages, arrivals, issues and changeovers?
Are safety, insurance and local requirements properly covered?
Does the likely income justify the operational commitment?

At Nest Projects, we help owners prepare, launch and manage distinctive holiday homes across Brighton and Sussex. That includes the practical groundwork as well as the guest experience: styling, photography, listing creation, pricing, guest communication and ongoing care.

Good hosting starts long before check-in. In a more closely watched market, that preparation matters more than ever.

Considering holiday letting?

Talk to Nest Projects for an informal conversation about your property.

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Registration-scheme timing and local visitor-levy arrangements should be checked against official government and local-authority updates before decisions are made.