Holiday let rules in the Lake District and Cumbria
In the Lake District the National Park Authority and Westmorland and Furness Council both have a say. Here is what applies to holiday lets in the Lakes now.
Checked against official sources on 26 Sept 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
What's specific to the Lake District
Second homes premium
Westmorland and Furness Council charges a 100% second homes premium from 1 April 2025. Holiday lets that meet the 140/70 test move onto business rates instead.
Planning inside the National Park
Inside the Lake District National Park, the National Park Authority is the planning authority. Its Local Plan does not support new-build housing for holiday use, and converting buildings to holiday lets must not use buildings suitable for local or affordable housing. Existing lets are not affected.
Fire safety: Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has a guide for self-catering holiday lets. Use it alongside the national guide for small paying guest accommodation, which was updated in January 2025.
Read the guideCumbria Fire and Rescue: self-catering guide (PDF)
Wood burners and oil heating
Rural Lakeland properties often rely on wood burners and oil boilers. There is no gas safety certificate for oil, but you still need a carbon monoxide alarm, regular servicing and chimney sweeping. HostSorted tracks each of these.
What applies across England
The national short-term let register
A national register for short-term lets in England is on the way. It isn't in force yet; the government said in September 2026 it will be fully operational by March 2027. Hosts are expected to register each property and show a registration number on their listings. Fees and the exact details haven't been published.
Business rates or council tax: the 140/70 rule
Your holiday let is assessed for business rates instead of council tax only if it was available to let for at least 140 nights in the last 12 months, was actually let for at least 70 of them, and will be available for 140 nights in the next 12 months. The Valuation Office Agency decides, not the council.
Read the guideGOV.UK: business rates for self-catering properties
Furnished holiday lettings tax rules have gone
The special furnished holiday lettings (FHL) tax regime ended in April 2025. Holiday let income is now taxed like other property income, so mortgage interest relief is restricted to the basic rate and FHL capital gains reliefs no longer apply. Speak to your accountant about what this means for you.
Fire safety applies to every holiday let
Paying guest accommodation falls under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Every host needs a written fire risk assessment, suitable alarms and clear escape routes, and must give guests fire safety information. Fire services can and do prosecute.
Read the guideGOV.UK: making small paying guest accommodation safe from fire
Keep your Lake District holiday let compliant, automatically
HostSorted builds the exact checklist for your property, reads your certificates, counts your booked nights and emails you before anything is due. Free for one property.
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