Londoners could soon be allowed to rent out their homes for a short-term basis under plans announced by communities secretary Eric Pickles.
Measures proposed for introduction through the Deregulation Bill would allow people living in the capital to rent out their homes on a temporary basis without having to make applications for a council permit.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said protections would be maintained to ensure homes were not used solely for short-term letting.
Current laws thought to date back 40 years to the Greater London Council require Londoners to apply for permission from their local authority before renting out their home for less than three months.
It is thought the reforms could benefit London’s tourism trade by boosting the pool of available accommodation, while allowing families to make extra cash while not at home themselves.
Pickles said: ‘The Internet is changing the way we work and live, and the law needs to catch up. We have already reformed the rules on renting out your unused parking spaces, now we want to do the same regarding renting out your home for a short period.
‘It’s time to change the outdated, impractical and restrictive laws from the 1970s, open up London’s homes to visitors and allow Londoners to make some extra cash.’
