“Threshold believes there is no justification for any delays to legislation on short-term lets. There is a clear opportunity for Government to bring much-needed homes back onto the long-term rental market, but that opportunity is being unnecessarily delayed. With just three weeks remaining to meet the EU deadline of 20 May for a national register for short-term lets (including the requirement for a unique Fáilte Ireland registration number to be displayed on advertising platforms), Government must now prioritise this legislation and ensure it is enacted in time.
“At a time of deep and worsening housing shortage, too many homes that could be used for long-term renting are instead being used as short-term tourist lets. Returning even a portion of these properties back to long-term use would make a meaningful difference.
“This legislation will not only improve access to housing but will also help Ireland meet its EU obligation to introduce a national register of short-term lets. Under this system, hosts offering accommodation for 21 nights or fewer will be required to register their properties with Fáilte Ireland, in line with other tourism accommodation providers such as hotels and B&Bs. The register can, and should, operate alongside existing planning permission requirements which are already in place and overseen by local authorities.
“The first draft of the legislation was published in 2023, and the EU directive was agreed in 2024. Government has had more than enough time to develop the Bill. The need for further clarity on planning has been cited as a reason for delay – yet planning permission guidelines already exist.
“Threshold has been clear that the problem is not the absence of rules for short-term lets, but the lack of political will to ensure compliance and enforcement. The planning framework has been in place since 2019, yet compliance remains extremely low. Between 2019 and May 2025, local authorities received just 426 planning applications for change of use, amounting to approximately 1.3% of short-term lets at that time. This strongly suggests that many short-term lets involving entire homes may be operating without the required permission or oversight. The short-term let register which should be established by legislation by the 20 May will facilitate this enforcement.
“We also believe this must not be weakened by a confusing rural-versus-urban approach with the proposal to raise the population threshold for planning restrictions from 10,000 to 20,000. Housing pressure is not limited to the largest cities. Many commuter towns, smaller urban centres and tourism-dependent areas are also under severe housing strain. The starting point must be housing need, not arbitrary population thresholds, or geographic definitions.
“Housing remains a national emergency. We urge Minister Burke to bring the legislation before the Dail and for Government to enact it without delay. It is in their gift to do so.”
