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FAQs

About the Short Term Tourist Letting Register.

1. Why is a Short Term Tourist Letting Register being introduced?
Fáilte Ireland is introducing a Short Term Tourist Letting Register for all short term tourist accommodation lets in Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland’s aim, as directed by the Government’s Housing for All policy, is to require any party offering accommodation on a short term basis to tourists (referred to as “Short Term Tourist Letting” or “STTL”) to be registered on a Register and hold a valid registration number issued by Fáilte Ireland.

This Register will be underpinned by forthcoming amendments to the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939 – 2016.
2. What are the requirements for Short Term Tourist Letting property owners?
Requirements for property owners are as follows:
- Ensure property is registered with Fáilte Ireland to receive a Short Term Tourist Letting registration number.
- Ensure that accurate owner and property information (including Eircode) is provided when registering any Short Term Tourist Letting property.
- Ensure that each property registered meets the relevant statutory obligations (self-declaration required for Short Term Tourist Letting registration).
- Provide a valid Short Term Tourist Letting registration number to a booking platform when submitting an advertisement.
- Display a valid Short Term Tourist Letting registration number when advertising their property.
3. How will I register?
The registration system will be online via a dedicated Fáilte Ireland registration portal. To register a property, property owners or third parties will be able to quickly sign up to the portal using their email address, input owner and property details (including Eircode), confirm they meet the relevant statutory obligations (by way of self-declaration) and pay a registration fee. They will instantly receive a unique registration number for each property registered.
4. Will I require an Eircode to register?
Yes, you will be required to enter the Eircode for the property/properties being registered. If you do not have an Eircode, customer support will be able to assist you after the launch of the online registration system.
5. When do I register?
When legislation is signed into law, Fáilte Ireland’s Short Term Tourist Letting Register for all short term tourist accommodation in Ireland will launch shortly thereafter.

From enactment of the legislation, property owners and booking platforms will be required to display a valid Short Term Tourist Letting registration number when advertising a property.

Property owners operating within the sector will be allowed a period of six months from the launch of the Short Term Tourist Letting Register to check if there are any statutory obligations related to their property that they need to consider or need clarification on. Property owners may of course start this process now, ahead of the register launching. Those who avail of the six month clarification period at the point of registration will receive a valid STTL registration number which will allow them to advertise their property from launch of the Register.
6. What will I need to do with my Short Term Tourist Letting registration number?
Property owners will be required to display a valid Fáilte Ireland Short Term Tourist Letting registration number on all booking platforms (including property websites) and advertisements.
7. Can I register a property on behalf of someone else?
A third party can complete the registration for a Short Term Tourist Letting property on behalf of a property owner, with their consent. The person completing the registration form must ensure the information they provide is true and correct. Please be aware when completing the online registration form itself, the section titled “Property Owner” will be the person named on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register, and it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that their Short Term Tourist Letting property is registered.
8. Will I need to upload any documentation? Will I need proof of planning permission to register?
You will not be required to upload any documentation as you register. Any questions you may have on planning permission should be directed to your Local Authority (see Q16 and Q17 below for more information on planning permission requirements).
9. How long will it take to register a Short Term Tourist Letting property?
Property owners or third parties will be required to sign up using an email address that will be validated prior to creating a password, all of which will only take a minute or so. Once signed in, the registration portal becomes available to register your property/properties. The length of time this takes will depend on the number of properties being registered. If the person registering has all the information to hand e.g. Eircode, payment details etc., and are just entering the details for one property, the full process should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. Applications can be saved and completed at a later time, and multiple properties may be registered at the one time.
10. What will happen when I register my property?
- Once you register your property/properties you will receive confirmation of your Short Term Tourist Letting registration number, this will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
- You will need to ensure your Short Term Tourist Letting registration number is displayed on all booking platforms (including property websites) and advertisements.
- Your property will be displayed on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register which will be publicly available on the Fáilte Ireland website.
11. Will I be able to set up a group login on the online portal for multiple properties?
Yes, it will be possible to register multiple properties using one login/password on the Short Term Tourist Letting portal.
12. What will the fees be?
The registration fees will be announced shortly. Being aware of the challenges which households and businesses face, the fees will be kept to a minimum.
13. Who is a tourist?
A person who travels from their place of residence, to visit the State, spend their holiday in the State or to travel within the State.
14. What is an online platform?
An online platform is an internet-based/digital marketplace, where Short Term Tourist Lettings can be advertised.
15. How will the Short Term Tourist Letting Register work?
Any party offering accommodation for periods of up to and including 21 nights will need to be registered with Fáilte Ireland. Property owners or third parties can register via a quick and user-friendly online portal where they will:
- Input owner and property details (including Eircode).
- Confirm that they meet the relevant statutory obligations (by way of self-declaration).
- Pay the registration fee (this will be an annual register which will need to be renewed each year).
Upon successful registration they will instantly receive a registration number which they provide to all online platforms and websites that advertise or list their property.

Before advertising properties, booking platforms must check property details with the Fáilte Ireland Register and must only advertise properties with a valid Fáilte Ireland registration number.

The Fáilte Ireland Short Term Tourist Letting Register will be available in real time to the booking platforms. The Register’s technology is due to be brought through initial testing in February 2023. Fáilte Ireland will work with booking platforms on a technical solution to automate the verification of registration numbers to ensure that the process of submitting a listing for advertisement on a platform is quick and straight forward.

Local Authorities will also have access to the Fáilte Ireland Short Term Tourist Letting Register, where they can check properties in their areas and if any are found not to have requisite planning permission, they may submit details to Fáilte Ireland who will remove the property from the Register and advise booking platforms that the property should no longer be advertised.

All planning functions, including monitoring and enforcement of same, will remain the responsibility of the Local Authorities.

Properties registered on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register are not Quality Approved by Fáilte Ireland. Further information on becoming Quality Assured and approved by Fáilte Ireland under the National Quality Assurance Framework is available here Fáilte Ireland Quality Assurance.

Questions regarding planning requirements.

Planning functions, including monitoring and enforcement of the relevant planning regulations, remain the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. Fáilte Ireland will not have a role in relation to planning. It is important to note that the introduction of the Short Term Tourist Letting Register will not alter, update or impact upon existing planning requirements.

16. Where do I find out more information on planning regulations and requirements?
Planning functions, including monitoring and enforcement of the relevant planning regulations, remain the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. Fáilte Ireland will not have a role in relation to planning. It is important to note that the introduction of the Short Term Tourist Letting Register will not alter, update or impact upon existing planning requirements.

Please see existing Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage guidance on Short Term Letting. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has committed to issuing new planning guidelines to local authorities to provide clarity in the determination of planning applications in respect of short term letting. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Fáilte Ireland will input into these new guidelines based on the questions that we have been receiving on the planning regulations.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Fáilte Ireland are working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that there is clarity for the tourism sector in relation to the Short Term Tourist Letting planning requirements.
17. If I don’t know the planning status of my property, can I take bookings for this year?
Property owners operating within the sector will be allowed a period of six months from the launch of the Short Term Tourist Letting Register to check the status of their property and/or apply for change of use planning permission. Those who avail of the six month clarification period will receive a valid STTL registration number which will allow them to advertise their property from launch of the Register while their planning status is being clarified.

This will act as an important transitional arrangement for providers that have accommodation offered and booked for the months ahead, along with providing some protection for the wider sector as they continue planning ahead.

Property owners may continue to take bookings at this point. However, once the Short Term Tourist Letting Register launches, properties will no longer be able to advertise without a valid registration number.

In addition, it is Fáilte Ireland’s view that Local Authorities should take a reasonable and balanced approach to granting planning permission for tourism accommodation that does not lead to properties that, due to their specification or location, are unsuitable for long term rental being taken out of the short-term tourism market. Fáilte Ireland will continue to work with stakeholders in this regard as the legislation to underpin the Register is finalised.
18. What is the reason for selecting the 21-night threshold?
It is the view of Fáilte Ireland that, in the context of the tourism market, a short-term stay/holiday will generally occur over a period of a maximum of three weeks, i.e. 21 nights, as such we deemed it appropriate to set this threshold for the Short Term Tourist Letting Register.

We note that the definition of a Short Term Let differs under other regulations e.g. definitions under existing planning regulations. However, the underpinning of the Short Term Tourist Letting Register differs from the requirements set out in planning legislation/regulations in terms of purpose and intended outcome.

The Short Term Tourist Letting Register is not designed to implement planning law. The definitions provided for under the draft Bill are derived from a tourism perspective.

Fáilte Ireland’s existing accommodation registers.

The Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework was developed to provide visitors with the assurance that nationally recognised minimum standards are in place for tourist accommodation. The framework was also designed to maintain and develop standards across the tourism accommodation industry and to support the development of individual tourism accommodation businesses.

19. What is Fáilte Ireland’s remit in managing tourist accommodation standards and regulation?
Fáilte Ireland operates the National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) which includes several types and style of tourism accommodation. The NQAF aims to provide consumers with easily identifiable symbols and standards of service that they can trust. Working with tourism providers, Fáilte Ireland wishes to ensure that those standards meet consumer expectations, help marketing efforts, and support product development.

Each style of tourist accommodation is required to meet the relevant regulations or minimum standards criteria. Fáilte Ireland will welcome and assist any tourist accommodation on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register to participate in the NQAF. Please contact us on 0818 888800 or qualityassurance@failteireland.ie for further information.

NOTE: Registration on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register does not mean that a property is Quality Assured by Fáilte Ireland. Any property registered on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register which is not already part of the NQAF will be welcome to apply should they wish to do so.
20. What is the difference between the Short Term Tourist Letting Register and NQAF?
The Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework was developed to provide visitors with the assurance that nationally recognised minimum standards are in place for tourist accommodation. The framework was also designed to maintain and develop standards across the tourism accommodation industry and to support the development of individual tourism accommodation businesses.

Registration of the Short Term Tourist Letting Register does not mean that a property is Quality Assured by Fáilte Ireland. Accommodation registered on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register will not be quality assessed but may be inspected however, all providers are expected to meet their statutory requirements.
21. If I am on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register, will I be listed on DiscoverIreland.ie?
Registration on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register does not mean that a property will be listed on DiscoverIreland.ie. In order to list your property on the Discover Ireland website your property must be Quality Assured by Fáilte Ireland and you will need to complete the necessary information which can be found on our marketing page.

Do I need to register?

22. I only rent a room occasionally, will I need to register?
All property owners renting Short Term Tourist Lettings for periods of up to and including 21 nights will need to register their property with Fáilte Ireland. Your Short Term Tourist Letting registration number will need to be renewed annually.
23. I rent a room to students per semester, will I need to register?
No, if your accommodation is rented for a period of longer than 21 nights you will not require a Short Term Tourist Letting registration number.
24. Will student accommodation providers be required to register?
Student accommodation providers who are letting their properties for periods of up to and including 21 nights will be required to register their properties on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register.
25. I rent a room on a permanent basis, will I need to register?
No, if your accommodation is rented for a period of longer than 21 nights you will not require a Short Term Tourist Letting registration number.
26. Where there are multiple units on a property, will only one registration number be required?
Only one registration number will be needed if the units are being advertised under the one listing. If the units are being advertised separately, then they will need individual registration numbers.
27. What are the consequences of not registering/failing to comply?
There will be fixed payment notices of €300 which Fáilte Ireland will be able to levy on property owners who advertise their property without a valid Fáilte Ireland registration number. Additionally, Fáilte Ireland also have the option to bring the case to the district court where the maximum fine is up to €5,000.
It’s important to note that a number of offences apply to property owners which are liable to fines or imprisonment. These offences include:
- Failing to hold a valid registration and registration number for a Short Term Tourist Letting property.
- Failing to display a valid Short Term Tourist Letting registration number when advertising.
- To promote/advertise/otherwise offer Short Term Tourist Letting accommodation that is not registered on the Short Term Tourist Letting Register.
- To obstruct an investigation of an authorised officer including withholding information.
- To provide false/misleading information to Fáilte Ireland.
For booking platforms - Fáilte Ireland can levy fines of up to €5,000 per invalid listing for advertising properties without valid Fáilte Ireland numbers.
28. What if I don’t renew the Short Term Tourist Letting registration for registered properties?
12 months after registration, you must renew your Short Term Tourist Letting registration number as the number will expire. Renewal reminders will be issued prior to expiry date. If you do not renew your registration, the property is removed from the Register and the Fáilte Ireland issued registration number becomes invalid.

Requirements for booking platforms.

29. What are the requirements for online platforms?
Requirements for online platforms are as follows:
- Ensure Short Term Tourist Letting advertisements display a valid registration number in a prominent position.
- Include a designated field for property owners to input a registration number when submitting an advertisement.
- Validate registration numbers before publishing an advertisement.
- Include the minimum nights' stay on the advertisement (and a field for inputting this).
- Suspend any users who frequently provide ‘manifestly illegal’ content.
- Submit regular reports to Fáilte Ireland on Short Term Tourist Letting registered properties.
- Publish reports on content moderation at least once a year.
30. Where does the properties minimum nights' stay need to be displayed on a booking platform?
The proposed legislation requires platforms to display a valid registration number and the minimum number of nights a Short Term Tourist Letting premises is available for a stay. Whilst there are no specific requirements as to where exactly this information is displayed, it needs to be visible when a tourist is viewing an advertisement for a Short Term Tourist Letting premises.