Today, the MP for York Central gave her Bill, on Licensing Short Term Holiday Lets, a Second Reading. During the debate she set out why a licensing scheme was the only way of controlling the market, not a registration scheme as the Government now proposes. It would give Local Authorities the power to determine the nature of that licensing scheme, including setting up control zones where holiday lets would be ban or limited, and licenses removed where owners failed to comply with the terms of the license, returning it back to residential use. 

Sadly, the Minister talked the Bill out, meaning that it will now carry over to next year, where Rachael Maskell will again try and get the Bill through Parliament. In the meantime, York’s MP will try and use similar measures to amend the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill before the House next week. 

Speaking after the reading, Rachael Maskell MP said:

“It is rare to be fourth on the list on a Friday and get a second reading, so I am pleased that my Bill has been heard, however it is disappointing and frustrating that the Bill was talked out today, but I have listed it for further debate next year. 

“Meanwhile I will continue to campaign on this issue, having already made a lot of progress in getting the issue recognised and support for the changes I am trying to legislate from MPs across the House, and Peers in the House of Lords. I know how important this issue is for residents in York and will always fight for them.”

A transcript of the debate can be found here.