England’s short let register is now expected to begin in March 2027, according to government guidance updated on 2 October, and Manchester operator Beyond Stays Group is urging owners of multiple short-stay properties to review which maintenance records they hold, whether any essential checks need attention and who is responsible for each action.
The short let register is not yet in force, and the published guidance does not set out a final list of documents owners will need to submit. Beyond Stays Group, which manages short-stay apartments and multi-unit properties in Manchester, argues that portfolio owners can use the intervening months to review their records and the responsibilities that already apply to their properties, rather than face a last-minute scramble for compliance.
Existing government guidance covers fire, gas, carbon monoxide and electrical safety. It also advises owners to check whether they need an energy performance certificate, review their insurance and ask their local planning authority whether permission is required. What applies depends on the property and how it is used.
For an owner with several apartments, the practical challenge is tracking different renewal dates, outstanding work and records held by different people. An owner, managing agent and building management company may each hold part of the picture.
“Ten apartments can mean ten sets of renewal dates, checks and outstanding actions,” said Matt Thompson, founder of Beyond Stays Group. “The weak point is often the handover between the owner, operator and building manager.
“Put the records in one place, name the person responsible for each action and check that it has actually been completed. That work is useful now, whatever the final registration process requires.”
Beyond Stays recommends a property-by-property review that records:
- which documents the owner holds
- when each one needs renewing
- whether an action remains open
- who is responsible for closing it
Owners in managed buildings should also check their lease to establish which matters fall to the building manager. The proposed register does not replace the need to consider existing safety and planning requirements.
The updated government page covers self-catering accommodation offered to paying guests for leisure or holiday use. Operators with a mix of holiday and corporate stays should check how the final short-let register rules apply to their properties once further details are published.
