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182-Day Occupancy Rule for Holiday Lets
Is this devolved to Wales?
Devolved
The necessary powers are not reserved to the UK Parliament in Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Shared Powers
Insert a specific explanation of the powers situation for this issue here.
Not Devolved
The powers over this are reserved to the UK Parliament in Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (Specific Section/Number/Clause).
Under current rules in Wales, self-catered accommodation/holiday lets need to be occupied for a minimum of 182 days a year (and available for let for 252 days) for owners to pay business rates instead of being liable for council tax.
Business rates for such properties are often much lower than the equivalent council tax bill.
On 8th July, the Senedd rejected a non-binding motion tabled by Reform UK calling for the 182-day rule to be scrapped. However, the Senedd backed a government amendment which called for the rules to be kept under review.
The rules were introduced in April 2023. The Welsh Government states it’s to ensure the owners of such properties “make a fair contribution to their local community”1.
It’s also part of a range of measures introduced in Wales to address shortages of affordable housing for locals in areas with high levels of tourism and second home ownership.
Opponents argue that the rules damage the tourism industry in Wales. They point to equivalent rules in England, which only require 70 days of occupancy and 140 days of being available to let.
In 2023, it was estimated around 26,000 properites in Wales were advertised for short-term lettings2. Exact figures are not known.Â
While the rules are applied nationally, some parts of Wales – particularly Gwynedd and along the west coast – have very high proportions of holiday homes. These have been estimated to make up to 10% of all properties in some areas3.
Charts (if needed)
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Costs & Economic Impact
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Who has raised this at the Senedd?
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
First Minister
Elin Jones MS
Finance Minister
Anna Nicholl MS
Backbencher
Elfed Williams MS
Backbencher
Louise Emery MS
Shadow Culture Minister
Helen Jenner MS
Leader of the Opposition
John Clark MS
Backbencher
Gareth Beer MS
Backbencher
Thomas Montgomery MS
Shadow Skills Minister
Paul Marr MS
Backbencher
Steve Rodaway MS
Backbencher
Paul Davies MS
Conservative Whip
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
First Minister
Elin Jones MS
Finance Minister
Anna Nicholl MS
Backbencher
Elfed Williams MS
Backbencher
Louise Emery MS
Shadow Culture Minister
Helen Jenner MS
Leader of the Opposition
John Clark MS
Backbencher
Gareth Beer MS
Backbencher
Thomas Montgomery MS
Shadow Skills Minister
Paul Marr MS
Backbencher
Steve Rodaway MS
Backbencher
Paul Davies MS
Conservative Whip
What are the party positions on this?
- Keep the policy under review
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Plaid Cymru backbenchers believe the current policy, whilst well-intended, needs to be reviewed as it’s put unnecessary pressure on smaller self-catering holiday businesses.
- Supports
- Opposes the 182-day rule
- Neutral/No Opinion
Reform UK oppose the 182-day rule outright, and believe the tourism industry has been unfairly scapegoated as being a cause for housing shortages in tourist-heavy areas.
- Supports the 182-day rule
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Labour MSs said they support the 182-day rule, but most of their focus has been on the overnight visitor levy.
- Supports
- Opposes the 182-day rule
- Neutral/No Opinion
The Conservatives support cutting the 182-day threshold.
- Keep the policy under review
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Green MSs haven’t said anything on this, but voted in favour of keeping the policy under review.
- Keep the policy under review
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Jane Dodds hasn’t said anything on this, but voted in favour of keeping the policy under review.
Who is responsible?
Elin Jones MS
Finance Minister
What have ministers said?
What's being done about this?
Plaid Cymru’s 2026 Senedd manifesto included a pledge to keep the current rules for holiday lets under review.
A public consultation on the rules was launched in July 2026. Early proposals are for exemptions from the 182-day rule for holiday lets that can’t be used as a permanent home (i.e. holiday accommodation on farms).
If the Welsh Government decides to make any changes, it’ll require new regulations.
The current rules are set out in the Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment of Definition of Domestic Property) Order 2022.
The public consultation will end in October 2026.Â
What have the Senedd's Committees said?
Nothing has been discussed yet.
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Relevant Votes
| Date | Motion Number | Subject | Tabled As | Binding Vote? | Votes For | Abstentions | Votes Against | Absent/No Vote | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/07/26 | NDM9284 | Amendment – Support tourist levy; keep 182-rule under review | 
| No | 51 | 0 | 38 | 5 | AGREED |
| 08/07/26 | NDM9284 | Scrap the tourist levy and review 182-day holiday let rule | 
| No | 38 | 0 | 51 | 5 | REJECTED |
Further Reading
- Welsh Government (29th August 2025). “Consultation launched to give holiday lets more flexibility“
- StatsWales (20th June 2023). “Second homes: what does the data tell us?“
- Office of National Statistics (20th June 2023). “More than 1 in 10 addresses used as holiday homes in some areas of England and Wales“
Related Issues
