FAQs

Fáilte Ireland is introducing a Short Term Letting Register for all short term accommodation lets in Ireland.

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:

• Input proprietor 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.
 

Proprietors will be required to display a valid Fáilte Ireland Short Term Letting registration number on all booking platforms (including property websites) and advertisements.

Requirements for proprietors are as follows:

• Ensure property is registered with Fáilte Ireland to receive a Short Term Letting registration number.
• Ensure that accurate proprietor and property information (including Eircode) is provided when registering any Short Term Letting property.
• Ensure that each property registered meets the relevant statutory obligations (self-declaration required for Short Term Letting registration).
• Provide a valid Short Term Letting registration number to a booking platform when submitting an advertisement.
• Display a valid Short Term Letting registration number when advertising their property.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.
• You will need to ensure your Short Term Letting registration number is displayed on all booking platforms (including property websites) and advertisements.
• Registered properties will be searchable publicly, via the Fáilte Ireland website.

Yes, you will be required to enter the Eircode for the property/properties being registered.

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.

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.

An online platform is an internet-based/digital marketplace, where Short Term Lettings can be advertised.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

No, if your accommodation is rented for a period of longer than 21 nights you will not require a Short Term Letting registration number.

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.

No, if your accommodation is rented for a period of longer than 21 nights you will not require a Short Term Letting registration number.

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.