Holiday let operators in Wales are leaving (or attempting to leave) the sector in droves due to the onerous 182-day letting threshold imposed by the government.

Nicky Williamson from PASC UK joins this week's Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – to paint a grim picture for the self-catering sector in the Principality. She explains that around half of operators are missing the threshold – which is triggering unexpected costs, lost livelihoods, and a mental health crisis.

Nicky is encouraging Welsh operators to respond to a government consultation on refinements to the self-catering sector: https://www.gov.wales/proposed-refinements-classification-self-catering-properties-local-tax-purposes

Why listen:

- Nicky explains what happens if you don’t reach 182 days – and how much it can cost.

- She also outlines why poor data is driving poor policy, and what a fair, evidence-based threshold could look like.

- Despite the pressure, Nicky believes there is a path to a smarter framework – and a brighter future – for Welsh holiday letting.

1:00 The 182-day threshold in Wales

2:09 The impact of the threshold on operators in Wales

5:04 About 50% of operators are failing to reach 182 days

5:52 What happens if you fail to reach 182 days

6:44 This impact is costing operators thousands of pounds

8:06 Operators are giving up – and there’s a mental health crisis

9:30 There’s only one solution: we need to lower 182

10:12 What’s a reasonable threshold?

11:18 Politicians certainly do not have the right data – just look at the policy decisions

12:17 What does statutory registration done well look like?

13:43 The impact of the wider tourism industry in Wales

15:44 The consultation has put the issue back in the spotlight

20:27 What operators are doing to reach the threshold

21:39 Message to Welsh operators in relation to the consultation

22:22 Fair and minimum grace period

23:13 The original intention of the Welsh government

26:01 How the Welsh political landscape might change the situation

28:08 Message to Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford

28:48 Holiday letting in Wales can have a bright future

30:23 PASC UK: ⁠⁠https://www.pascuk.co.uk/⁠⁠

32:22 Shout-out for all the members

Looking for a great PMS or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!

Check out these special offers:

Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.

Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.

Click here to sign up for Hostfully: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtk⁠⁠

Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-Demo⁠⁠

Email Frank: frank@hostfully.com

Host Planet: ⁠⁠https://www.hostplanet.club/⁠⁠

James Varley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/⁠⁠

PASC UK: https://www.pascuk.co.uk/

Episode to check next: Why the Host Planet x STAA Roadshow Matters for UK Hosts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1cVI06GHvk&t=3s

Host Planet Podcast is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: ⁠⁠info@hostplanet.club⁠⁠

#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #PASCUK #Wales #NickyWilliamson