Issue No. 4
October 8, 2026
The day's figures on short-term rentals: rates, occupancy, demand, fees, supply and returns.
Briefs from this issue
- Fees
Lawsuit claims over 50 percent of Vrbo listings lack smoke detectors
50% or more of the accommodations offered by Vrbo do not have smoke detectors, according to attorney Albert Farrah in a report by WBZ-TV. The claim emerged as survivors of a deadly house fire in the Dominican Republic, which killed four people, filed a lawsuit against Vrbo and Expedia. Farrah stated that the rental property involved in the fire lacked smoke detectors and alarms, failing to meet Vrbo's Safety Essentials Requirements.
- Rules & Money
Llanfaelog holiday home share hits 37.57 percent to lead Anglesey
37.57% is the proportion of second homes and holiday accommodation in the Llanfaelog community council area, according to the latest figures from the Anglesey County Council tax department. The high concentration led planners to reject a retrospective application for a studio annexe holiday let in Llanfaelog. Head of development and planning Rhys Lloyd Jones stated that applications for self-serviced holiday accommodation are rejected when the existing combination of holiday accommodation and second homes exceeds 15%.
- Rules & Money
Spanish tourist apartments face property tax surcharges up to 150 percent
150% is the maximum property tax surcharge that owners of four or more tourist properties in Spain could face under a new housing decree, according to the Official State Gazette. The legislation allows town halls in designated housing-pressure areas to impose surcharges on residential properties used as tourist accommodation. The standard surcharge can reach 50% of the annual IBI property tax bill, rising to a maximum of 100% for owners with two or more tourist properties.
- Rules & Money
Lake District holiday let profits could fall 96 percent under proposed tax
96 per cent is the potential drop in profits for Lake District holiday lets if they are reclassified as second homes, according to analysis by holiday let management firm Finest Retreats. The company shared modelling suggesting the change would add £4,784 a year in council tax to the average managed holiday let, reducing annual profit from just under £5,000 to less than £200. The warning comes as Chancellor John Healey reportedly considers removing small business rates relief in the upcoming Budget.
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