Farmers concerned over plans for licensing scheme for self-catering accommodation
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has expressed concern over the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a statutory licensing scheme for self-catering accommodation providers.
In its response to a consultation on the proposals, the union has called for the introduction of a free statutory registration scheme instead.
FUW Farm Diversification Committee Chair Dewi Owen said: “There is a strong feeling amongst the community of farmers who have diversified into self-catering accommodation that many Welsh Government policies designed with good intention to tackle the impacts of second homes and short-term holiday lets will have a detrimental impact on genuine providers.
“The Welsh Government must ensure that such policies do not result in an irreversible impact for the Welsh tourism industry, which in turn leads to a sharp increase in the number of accommodation providers operating under the radar.
“Consequently, this could also lead to empty properties which cannot be used for residential purposes due to planning conditions.”
Enforcement tool
In its response, the FUW also expressed concern that the proposed scheme will be considered as an enforcement tool by creating more barriers and bureaucratic requirements for genuine accommodation providers, and used to collect a tourism levy, to which the FUW has previously opposed.
The consultation also highlighted the government’s intentions to introduce a licensing scheme based on a similar model to Rent Smart Wales.
“We are opposed to the proposals to use a similar model to Rent Smart Wales which has clearly created additional barriers for landlords attempting to provide for the rented sector, resulting in many properties being left unoccupied or sold as second homes which in turn has exacerbated the second home crisis,” Mr Owen said.
FUW Senior Policy and Communication Officer Gareth Parry added: “In all our responses and communication to the Welsh Government we have emphasised the need to differentiate between genuine accommodation providers and those who both inhabit and let second homes at different times of the year.
“Whilst robust monitoring and policing of such properties would significantly close this loophole, it has previously been proposed by the FUW that a statutory registration scheme is introduced in order to closely monitor the number of AirBnB and holiday home type properties in Wales alongside identifying the bureaucratic
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Is the reluctance to register anything to do with tax, business rates and suchlike inconveniences that farmers have swerved for generations?
If you read what they are saying Farmers are not trying to avoid registration ( as you imply to swerve tax etc) but do not want a licensing scheme which is totally over the top and putting more and more red tape in the way of genuine Welsh people. To say Farmers are dishonest is way out of order and we need to remember without them we would starve!!
Navigating the tax rules to minimize what we pay is something everyone does or should do. If there are loop holes blame the politicians, not the tax payer. It isn’t dishonest, neither is it immoral.
There is a lot wrong with farming in Wales, but your comment is both ignorant and offensive,
Robust monitoring and policing…Listen to them, when it comes to their own behaviour as custodians of the commonwealth of Cymru they are a little lax to say the least. They, the powers that be should look to Saint Isidro for positive inspiration, patron Saint of Farmers for who’s day approaches…March 22nd