Holiday let rules in Northumberland
The Northumberland coast has some of the highest second home concentrations in England, and the council, parish plans and the National Park all respond to it. Here is what applies to holiday lets in Northumberland now.
Checked against official sources on 28 Sept 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
What's specific to Northumberland
Second homes premium: double council tax
Northumberland County Council charges a 100% premium on second homes from 1 April 2025. Its 2026/27 tax base report shows the number of second homes paying it fell from about 3,700 to 2,900 as owners claimed exceptions or moved properties onto business rates as holiday lets, so expect the Valuation Office Agency to look closely at the 140/70 evidence.
Read the guideNorthumberland County Council: empty and second homes premiums
Local Plan policy HOU 10 and parish plans
The Northumberland Local Plan has a specific policy, HOU 10, on second and holiday homes, and the council keeps a census of parishes where restrictions apply. Coastal parishes such as Craster have neighbourhood plans that restrict all new housing to principal residences; Craster's plan records 28% of its homes as second homes. Existing holiday lets are not affected, but new ones face a high bar in those parishes.
Inside the National Park
Northumberland National Park's Local Plan policy ST5 requires new housing to be a principal residence, to stop it becoming an unoccupied second home. Its 2025 review found second homes at 30% in some parishes and kept the requirement unchanged.
Fire safety: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service
The fire service says any flat, house, cottage, outhouse or caravan you rent out short-term or for a holiday is covered by the Fire Safety Order. It recommends interlinked mains-powered alarms in hallways, staircases, living rooms and every bedroom, with heat detectors in kitchens.
Read the guideNorthumberland Fire and Rescue: guest accommodation
What applies across England
The national short-term let register
A national register for short-term lets in England is on the way. It isn't in force yet; the government said in September 2026 it will be fully operational by March 2027. Hosts are expected to register each property and show a registration number on their listings. Fees and the exact details haven't been published.
Business rates or council tax: the 140/70 rule
Your holiday let is assessed for business rates instead of council tax only if it was available to let for at least 140 nights in the last 12 months, was actually let for at least 70 of them, and will be available for 140 nights in the next 12 months. The Valuation Office Agency decides, not the council.
Read the guideGOV.UK: business rates for self-catering properties
Furnished holiday lettings tax rules have gone
The special furnished holiday lettings (FHL) tax regime ended in April 2025. Holiday let income is now taxed like other property income, so mortgage interest relief is restricted to the basic rate and FHL capital gains reliefs no longer apply. Speak to your accountant about what this means for you.
Fire safety applies to every holiday let
Paying guest accommodation falls under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Every host needs a written fire risk assessment, suitable alarms and clear escape routes, and must give guests fire safety information. Fire services can and do prosecute.
Read the guideGOV.UK: making small paying guest accommodation safe from fire
Keep your Northumberland holiday let compliant, automatically
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