Short‑let hosting in East Berkshire - covering areas such as Reading, Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest and surrounding towns - is increasingly common. With the national push to regulate short‑term rentals, many property owners and prospective hosts ask: “Do I need a registration number to rent out on Airbnb, Booking.com or similar platforms?”
The answer right now is “Not yet - but soon there will be a mandatory national scheme, so preparation matters.” This blog explains what that means, when a registration number will be required, and what East Berkshire hosts should do to get ahead.
As of mid‑2025, providers of short‑lets in England are not yet required to hold or display a statutory “short‑let registration number.” According to official sources, the government has not yet finalised the scheme's details.
Local authorities in East Berkshire (e.g. Slough Borough Council, Reading Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council, etc.) do not currently maintain a borough‑wide short‑let register or licensing regime comparable to some Scottish or Welsh councils. For example, local housing licencing schemes currently cover Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), not holiday lets or short‑term Airbnb‑type lets.
For hosts in East Berkshire today, that means you generally can list a property without a special short‑let licence or registration number, provided you comply with existing health & safety, fire, tax and other standard legal requirements (e.g. rental income declaration).
Under the UK’s 2023 legislation (the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023), the government committed to creating a mandatory, national registration scheme for all short‑term lets in England.
The scheme is intended to be “light-touch, digital and simple to use” so as not to impose unduly on occasional hosts - but once live, every short-let provider across England (including East Berkshire) will be expected to register.
The government said the scheme will roll out “as soon as practicable,” which suggests 2025–2026.
Bottom line for now: No, you do not yet need a registration number - but yes, you should prepare as though it will be required soon. Treat your property as if registration is inevitable: stay compliant, keep records, and stay informed.
Because the national register is coming, hosts who take action now will be ahead of the curve. Key steps include:
Ensure your property meets health, safety, and fire safety compliance (gas/electrics safety, smoke/CO alarms, fire risk assessment, inspections). The forthcoming scheme will likely check for compliance.
Keep detailed records: property address, ownership, short-let usage (nights let, availability, bookings), safety certificates, guest history.
If you manage multiple units or listings, consider whether each should be registered individually - discussion continues over whether the “unit of registration” is the dwelling, part-dwelling or listing unit.
Be ready to include a registration number in your adverts/listings once the scheme goes live - platforms may demand “no number, no listing.”
Review local planning regulations: while East Berkshire local authorities do not currently have special short‑let rules, changes could follow after a national register is implemented.
Q1. Can I list my East Berkshire property on Airbnb without a registration number now?
Yes - because the national short‑let registration scheme has not yet been enacted. As long as you comply with general safety, tax and legal requirements, you can let short‑term.
Q2. When will a registration number become mandatory?
The legislation passed in 2023, and as of 2025 the government is preparing the scheme. Many anticipate a rollout in 2025–2026.
Q3. What will the registration scheme require me to do?
Likely: register each property or unit, provide safety/ gas/electric certificates, confirm planning use or permitted use, and display the registration number on listings.
Q4. Will platforms like Airbnb block listings without a registration number once the scheme starts?
Probably - the consultation suggested that registration numbers should be displayed in adverts, and many expect a “no‑number, no‑listing” rule for compliance.
Q5. Does East Berkshire have any local short-let licensing beyond the national scheme?
Not currently. Local schemes in the area focus on HMOs; short-term holiday lets are not under any borough‑wide rules as yet.
Q6. What if I only rent occasionally (e.g. a few weekends a year)?
You’ll still need to register once the national scheme is live - although the scheme may include a low‑use threshold (the government has considered a “de minimis” exemption but has not confirmed details).
The short‑let market in East Berkshire is on the brink of a regulatory shift. The law does not yet require hosts to have a short‑let registration number - but the upcoming national register means that compliance will become mandatory within the next 12–24 months.
For hosts who want to stay ahead of the curve - avoid listing suspensions, ensure compliance, maintain safety standards, and protect guest trust - now is the best time to prepare.
That’s where Pass the Keys comes in. As a professional, full‑service short-let management company, Pass the Keys can help you:
Ensure your property meets safety, maintenance and compliance requirements
Maintain rigorous documentation (safety certificates, occupancy records, guest logs)
Prepare for the national registration: gather required info, get your property “registration‑ready”
Manage listings, bookings, guest communications - reducing admin burden
Adapt fast when the registration scheme launches, ensuring no disruption
If you plan to let in East Berkshire - whether in Reading, Slough, Wokingham, or Bracknell Forest - using a manager like Pass the Keys helps you stay compliant, ahead of regulation, and confident in your operation.