Anyone in Wales with holiday cottage or flat faces £75-a-year charge

A new law is progressing through the Welsh Parliament requiring providers of self-contained holiday accommodation, such as cottages and flats, to obtain a license. This license will cost an estimated £75 per year and mandates that properties meet specific standards for visitor safety and suitability, including gas and electrical safety certificates, insurance, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The aim is to ensure a consistent level of quality for all visitor accommodation, akin to traditional businesses, and to build confidence in Wales' vital tourism sector. This licensing requirement is separate from the previously discussed visitor levy, or "tourism tax," which councils will decide whether to implement. However, a separate registration process for all overnight accommodation providers is also being introduced under that legislation. The new licensing bill, which aims to addr... download the app to read more