Do you need to register for Business rates

[Stephen1817]

In the Uk do I need to register for business rates for air bnb for a full bungalow. It will be used by us for some of the time and let out other times of the year. Do we need to have anything else in place before we can let out as air bnb?

CP12 cert or anything etc?

[Bhumika]

Hi @Stephen1817 , Welcome to the Community Center 🌻

It's indeed an important question for Hosts when it comes to following different laws, regulations, and best practices while hosting. I came across a Help Centre article that could be useful for your question : Responsible hosting in the United Kingdom . In the article, as you scroll down you'll see a section titled "Business Rates" with a brief overview. 

I'm also inviting a few experienced Host members from the region if they could kindly guide us here : @Mike-And-Jane0 @Helen3 👀 

Please keep us posted!

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Stephen1817 Business rates are required in England if the place is available to rent for 140 days and actually rented for 70 (figures are from memory but close). Authorities are clamping down on this as with business rates you will probably pay nothing and without you will probably pay double council tax. The rues for Wales are even more draconian and I have no idea about Scotland or Norther Ireland.

What do you need?

Permission from financier if you have one

Check with Local Authority as you may need planning permission (this is all a bit weird)

Fire assessment which is likely to require many additional smoke alarms and maybe other changes

Insurance that allows Airbnbing the place

Gas safety certificates if you have gas

Electric safety certificates

Anything else I have forgotten

[Helen3]

Great list @Mike-And-Jane0 

I would add home insurance for  short term lets @Stephen1817 

Not a requirement but I would say essential for hosts to protect their properties for the many areas the Airbnb Guarantee doesn't cover.