Everything you Need to Know About Airbnb in Bradford

There are a few things that Airbnb hosts all over the world are expected to know. Others are local to the nation, the state, or even the city. These include the potential for short-term vacation rentals, tourist demand, and laws controlling self-catering rentals. Here is all the information you require regarding Airbnb hosting in Bradford, United Kingdom.

Why People Visit Bradford

West Yorkshire's Bradford is a city tucked away by the stunning Pennine mountains. Like much of England's north, Bradford played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution. Although Bradford was known for its textile output, it also benefited from a great location close to water and mines.

Bradford is still a fantastic city today for culture, history, and an authentic experience of Yorkshire life. Its stunning setting makes it ideal for discovering the countryside and connecting with nature.

Bradford is the perfect place for those looking to experience literature and culture. It is home to museums such as the National Media Museum, the Bradford Industrial Museum, and the Bronte Parsonage Museum.

There is something for everyone in Bradford, such as historical sites and buildings such as the Bradford Cathedral. Those looking to immerse themselves in nature can visit many parks, such as Lister Park, Peel Park, and Bradford City Park. Screen tourism is a growing trend, with tourists showing interest in St George’s Hall (the oldest concert hall still in use in Britain), Salts Mill, an art gallery and entertainment complex, and Bradford Alhambra, one of the city’s most prominent theatres.

Airbnb Trends in Bradford

AirDNA, the premier provider of data and analytics for the short-term rental sector, reports the following in Bradford:

• There are 810 active rentals in Bradford, with 62% of hosts choosing to host exclusively via Airbnb, while 18% host via Airbnb and VRBO.
• 80% of active rentals are entire homes, while 20% consist of private rooms.
• The number of rentals has grown by 15% as of Q2 of 2022.
• Flexible is the most popular cancellation policy (46%), followed by moderate (22%) and strict (24%).
• Most visitors stayed 1 night (44%), followed by 2 nights (38%).

Short-Term Holiday Let Rules in Bradford

Short-term lets in Bradford are subject to a number of laws, rules, and applicable taxes.

Definition

Similar to a "holiday let," a short-term rental involves renting out a house or a specific room for a brief period of time, typically from one night to a few weeks. Landlords are normally required to offer fully furnished, well-equipped, hotel-quality lodging and services because most visitors are business or vacation travelers.

The Key Rules and Regulations that Apply to Holiday and Short-Term Lets are:

• A home must be furnished and available for rent for at least 210 days each year in order to qualify as a vacation rental. This translates to a maximum of 22 weeks of personal use.

• The home must be rented out for business purposes for at least 105 days per year in order to qualify for the advantageous "furnished holiday let" tax status.

• A single let cannot last longer than 31 days in a row. If it is, you need a formal tenancy agreement that will grant your visitor the same rights and obligations as a tenant in a buy-to-let property. You might be breaking the terms of your mortgage, and it might have an impact on your tax situation.

• A special Hotel and Mobile Television Licence is required if you offer televisions.

Health and Safety

General health and safety:

You have a duty of care to your visitors, so ensure you thoroughly examine all potential risks to the property and its surroundings and take reasonable precautions to eliminate or reduce them. A visitor information file with guidelines for using the facilities and appliances safely is also a good idea.

Gas safety:

Make sure all of the appliances and flues are installed, maintained, and tested properly if your property has a gas supply. For owners of vacation rentals, the gas safety standards and guidelines are evident.

All gas appliances must be inspected and approved by a Gas Safe Engineer once a year, according to HSE gas safety guidance. A current certificate must be displayed for visitors on the premises.

__Electrical safety: __

All electrical equipment supplied must be safe to use and, if supplied since January 1995, marked with the appropriate CE symbol. Although there’s no specific legal requirement, we'd highly recommend you have the electrical installation inspected and tested every 5 years by a qualified electrician who's a member of NAPIT or NICEIC. We'd also suggest you have all electrical appliances PAT tested annually. For more information, visit the government’s guide on electrical safety standards for landlords.

__Fire safety: __

Every home carries a certain amount of fire risk, but there are steps you can take to lessen it and protect the safety of your visitors and vacation rental. Being able to properly grasp fire safety is crucial and is mandated by law for owners. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all buildings (England & Wales). A fire safety risk assessment is one of the requirements of this responsibility.

Click on one of the helpful guides below for additional information on compliance with the fire safety law for holiday lets and a fire risk assessment that can be downloaded:

https://www.visitbritain.org/business-advice/complete-your-fire-risk-assessment

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11085/payingguests.pdf

Carbon monoxide alarms:

Carbon monoxide alarms are an affordable and dependable solution to give visitors a heads-up if there are any issues. An alarm must be fitted in every room that houses a gas, oil, or solid fuel burner (such as a log burner or an open fire).

The HSE website has plenty of helpful information and assistance to assist you in complying.

Taxes

Not all rental property is taxed equally; rentals that fall under the category of "furnished holiday lettings" (FHLs) have particular tax benefits. The regulations nevertheless "trump" those governing regular residential lets, despite the fact that they are not as favorable as they formerly were.

Properties that meet the criteria for FHLs are eligible for the capital gains tax breaks offered to dealers. This includes business asset disposal relief, which, provided the lifetime limit (currently £1 million) is met, can be particularly beneficial if a gain is realized from the sale of the property and lowers the tax due on the gain to 10% from 18% or 28%. Additionally, there is business asset rollover relief, which enables gains to be postponed until they are reinvested. Also eligible for capital allowances are items like furniture, equipment, fixtures, and fittings.

Profits from an investment in a furnished vacation rental also count as earnings for pension purposes.

Properties that qualify as FHLs constitute a separate property income business for landlords who also own other rental properties that are not FHLs. As a result, a landlord who owns both an FHL and a residential buy-to-let will have two distinct property revenue enterprises.