To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the review of regulations of short-term rental properties in Northern Ireland, following the reported request made by the Minister for Communities at a Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council meeting in February 2025.

My Department’s and Tourism NI’s powers to regulate the short-term let visitor accommodation sector are set out in the Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (“the 1992 Tourism Order”). The 1992 Tourism Order requires all visitor accommodation in the North to be certified by Tourism NI before they can operate, as well as once every four years, to ensure that specified minimum quality standards are met.

My Department and Tourism NI are reviewing the visitor accommodation

certification scheme and its associated statutory criteria regulations which outlines these required minimum quality standards.

The 1992 Tourism Order does not provide any power for my Department or Tourism NI to limit, cap or control the number or spread of properties providing accommodation for visitors. Our role is focused on minimum quality standards.

That being said, following the publication of the Executive’s Housing Supply Strategy, DfC officials have contacted relevant Departments to discuss a collective approach on related issues. My officials are engaging in this process.

DfC will take forward research on the issue of short-term/holiday lets, their potential impacts, and their interaction with the planning process. This work will be done in conjunction with the Department for Instructure and my Department.

I agree with the Communities Minister that it is important that we have a proper evidence base to understand what impact holiday lets have on local housing supply, if any, before we make any policy decisions on this matter.