Holiday lets and other holiday accommodation

Introduction

Data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), is a useful source of holiday let (*1) and related data.  However, there is an important caveat.  It only includes those properties registered for business rates (2). This means some properties may be used for holiday lets but because they fall outside the criteria are not included in the figures. It should also be considered that not all dwellings paying business rates could be used as permanent residences.

Ideal as a holiday let {Current use unknown]

 

Analysis

A total of 72,580 holiday lets were recorded by the VOA in 2024.  Of these, 11,730 were in Cornwall, 16.2% of the total. In all, five areas accounted for over half of all recorded holiday lets. 

 

Area	Numbers	% share
Cornwall	11730	16.2
Devon	7280	10.1
North Yorkshire	7170	9.9
Cumbria	5600	7.7
Norfolk	5250	7.2
Total	37,030	51.1

 

It is estimated that second homes and holiday lets make up 8.1% of all dwellings in Cornwall, the second highest of areas in England. The Isles of Scilly has a share of 27.7%.

 

Conclusion

Holiday lets are a significant element of the Cornish housing stock contributing to housing growth yet reducing the number of properties available to local residents. This poses some fundamental questions for policymakers.

  

Notes

*1  Includes Serviced Apartments, Timeshare Complexes and Self Catering Holiday Homes.

 

*2 Business rates for holiday lets

Your property must have been available to holiday let for at least 140 nights in the last 12 months.

Your property must have been actually let for at least 70 nights in the last 12 months.

Coast and Country Cottages, (2026), https://www.coastandcountry.co.uk/blog/holiday-let-business-rates-council-tax#3

 

Sources

 Coast and Country Cottages, (2026), https://www.coastandcountry.co.uk/blog/holiday-let-business-rates-council-tax#3]

 

 Valuation Office Agency.