New licensing scheme needs to level playing field, UKH warns

UKHospitality Cymru has called for the Welsh Government to use a new statutory licensing scheme to create a “level playing field” between established serviced accommodation businesses and the short-term let sector.

The concern around the lack of a level playing field has been a long-standing area of discussion with concerns certain parts of the sector do not meet or comply with their statutory obligations. 

The Welsh government recently agreed to the commitment to a statutory licensing scheme for holiday lets as part of a package of measures to address the negative impact second homes and short-term holiday lets can have on the availability and affordability of housing for local people in our communities.

In its response to the Welsh government’s consultation on a proposed licensing scheme for all accommodation providers, the Wales hospitality body is clear that any new scheme must not provide any further regulation for the hotel sector and recommends any future scheme automatically grants licences for businesses already recorded with the Welsh Government and excludes them from any additional inspections.

UKHospitality Cymru executive director, David Chapman, said: “Our established hotels, inns and guest houses have developed a top-quality reputation for looking after their customers and we want these highest standards to be evident in all other parts of the sector once the new scheme is introduced.

“Serviced accommodation is a highly regulated sector and it prides itself in its compliance to the highest level with Government regulation and the resultant duty of care for our visitors and guests that comes with this.”

Chapman continued: “UKHospitality Cymru is pleased the Welsh Government is taking this issue seriously. Serviced accommodation has transparent processes; we’ve been asking for a level playing field through regulation for several years.”