Rebalancing Short-Term Lets

Short-term rentals have grown quickly over the past decade. While they are important for tourism, they also create challenges—especially the lack of data, which makes it hard to know which homes should be used for short-term lets and which should stay in the long-term rental market.

The Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill will introduce new rules, including:

• A national register for all short-term lets, managed by Fáilte Ireland from May 2026.
• Mandatory registration for anyone offering short-term accommodation (up to 21 nights). Hosts must:
  • Register with Fáilte Ireland.
  • Confirm planning compliance.
  • Display a valid registration number on all online listings.

Enforcement

• FáilteIreland will have powers to act against hosts and platforms that break the rules.
• It can share data with local authorities to help enforce planning requirements.

• New short-term lets will generally not be allowed in cities and large towns, so homes remain available for people who need long-term housing.
• Local authorities will set policies for short-term let applications, considering:
  • Housing needs in the area.
  • Urban regeneration benefits.
  • Tourism accommodation needs.
• A National Planning Statement will guide these decisions.