FAQs
About the Short Term Letting (STL) Register
- 1. Why is a Short Term Letting Register being introduced?
Fáilte Ireland is introducing a Short Term Letting Register for all short term accommodation lets in Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland’s aim, as directed by the Government’s Housing for All policy, is to require any party offering paid accommodation on a short term basis to tourists (referred to as “Short Term Letting” or “STL”) 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. How will the Short Term Letting Register work?
Any party offering paid accommodation for periods of up to and including 21 nights will need to be registered with Fáilte Ireland. Proprietors can register via a quick and user-friendly online portal where they will:
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Input proprietor and property details (including Eircode).
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Confirm that they meet the relevant statutory obligations (by way of self-declaration).
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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.
Properties registered on the Short Term 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.
- 3. What will I need to do with my Short Term Letting registration number?
Proprietors will be required to display a valid Fáilte Ireland Short Term Letting registration number on all booking platforms (including property websites) and advertisements.
- 4. What are the requirements for Short Term Letting proprietors?
Requirements for proprietors are as follows:
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Ensure property is registered with Fáilte Ireland to receive a Short Term Letting registration number.
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Ensure that accurate proprietor and property information (including Eircode) is provided when registering any Short Term Letting property.
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Ensure that each property registered meets the relevant statutory obligations (self-declaration required for Short Term Letting registration).
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Provide a valid Short Term Letting registration number to a booking platform when submitting an advertisement.
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Display a valid Short Term Letting registration number when advertising their property.
- 5. How will I register?
The registration system will be online via a dedicated Fáilte Ireland registration portal. To register a property, proprietors will be able to quickly sign up to the portal using their email address, input proprietor 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.
- 6. When do I register?
When legislation is signed into law, Fáilte Ireland’s Short Term Letting Register for all short term accommodation in Ireland will launch shortly thereafter. Proprietors and booking platforms will be required to display a valid Short Term Letting registration number when advertising a property.
We advise all proprietors who may be unsure of their statutory obligations to obtain any clarification necessary to ensure their statutory obligations are being met.
- 7. 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.
- 8. How long will it take to register a Short Term Letting property?
Proprietors 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.
- 9. What will happen when I register my property?
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Once you register your property/properties you will receive confirmation of your Short Term Letting registration number, this will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
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You will need to ensure your Short Term Letting registration number is displayed on all booking platforms (including property websites) and advertisements.
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Registered properties will be searchable publicly, via the Fáilte Ireland website.
- 10. Will I require an Eircode to register?
Yes, you will be required to enter the Eircode for the property/properties being registered.
- 11. Will I need to upload any supporting documentation?
You will not be required to upload any supporting documentation as you register. However, you may be contacted post registration for clarification on your registration.
- 12. 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 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 Letting Register differs from the requirements set out in planning legislation/regulations in terms of purpose and intended outcome.
The definitions provided for under the draft Bill are derived from a tourism perspective.
- 13. What is an online platform?
An online platform is an internet-based/digital marketplace, where Short Term Lettings can be advertised.
Questions regarding planning requirements.
Planning legislation, regulations and policy are set at national level by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. At a local level, planning functions, including monitoring and enforcement of the relevant planning regulations, are the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. Fáilte Ireland does not have a role in relation to planning and cannot advise or assist with any queries with respect to planning regulations. Any individual/case-specific questions should be directed to the relevant Local Authority.
- 14. Where do I find out more information on planning regulations and requirements?
At a local level, planning functions, including monitoring and enforcement of the relevant planning regulations, remain the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. Fáilte Ireland does not have a role in relation to planning and cannot advise or assist with any queries with respect to planning regulations. Any individual/case-specific questions should be directed to the relevant Local Authority.
Please see existing Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage guidance on Short Term Letting - gov.ie - Circular PL 04/2019 - New Regulation of Short Term Letting (www.gov.ie) The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has committed to issuing updated planning guidelines to Local Authorities to provide clarity in the determination of planning applications in respect of short term letting. Any queries in relation to the status or content of these guidelines should be directed to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
- 15. If I don’t know the planning status of my property, can I register on the STL Register?
When registering, proprietors must confirm that each property registered meets the relevant statutory obligations. We advise all proprietors who may currently be unsure of their statutory obligations to obtain any clarification necessary now, to ensure their statutory obligations are being met.
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.
- 16. 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 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 Letting Register does not mean that a property is Quality Assured by Fáilte Ireland. Any property registered on the Short Term Letting Register which is not already part of the NQAF will be welcome to apply should they wish to do so.
- 17. What is the difference between the Short Term 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 Letting Register does not mean that a property is Quality Assured by Fáilte Ireland. Accommodation registered on the Short Term Letting Register will not be quality assessed.
- 18. If I am on the Short Term Letting Register, will I be listed on DiscoverIreland.ie?
Registration on the Short Term 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?
- 19. I only rent a room occasionally, will I need to register?
All proprietors renting Short Term Lettings for periods of up to and including 21 nights will need to register their property with Fáilte Ireland. Your Short Term Letting registration number will need to be renewed annually.
- 20. 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 Letting registration number.
- 21. 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 Letting Register.
- 22. 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 Letting registration number.
- 23. What if I don’t renew the Short Term Letting registration for registered properties?
Registration must be renewed annually 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 STL registration number becomes invalid.
If your question has not been answered here, please contact our Customer Support Team.