New Wales Law: Visitor Accommodation Registration Wales Opens Autumn 2026 | Guesture

New Wales Law: Visitor Accommodation Registration Opens Autumn 2026 — What Owners Need to Do Now

If you take bookings for overnight stays in Wales, there’s a major legal change on the way. From autumn 2026, providers of visitor accommodation will need to register with the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA). This applies whether you host occasionally or professionally — and it covers a wide range of accommodation types. 

At Guesture, we manage short-term rentals across South Wales, so we’re sharing a simple, practical breakdown: who must register, what information you’ll need, and the best way to prepare now so you’re not scrambling later.

What’s changing — in plain English

From autumn 2026, you must register by law if (1) you take bookings for overnight stays in Wales and (2) any of those bookings are 31 nights or less. 

This includes:

• self-catering lets (apartments, houses, cottages, lodges)

• your main home or a spare room

• hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses

• camping and touring pitches, motorhomes/campervans

• glamping (pods, yurts, shepherd’s huts, etc.)

• static caravans/mobile homes

• hostels/bunkhouses 

Is registration free — and what happens if you don’t register?

The WRA guidance explains registration is a legal requirement, and not registering may lead to penalties (and issues meeting Visitor Levy requirements if your council introduces it). 

What information you’ll need to register (start collecting this now)

When registration opens (autumn 2026), most providers will need to provide: 

• contact details (name, address, phone number)

• date of birth

• company number (if applicable)

• charity number (if applicable)

• trading name (if applicable)

• accommodation address

• type of accommodation offered

• how many people can stay

• when the accommodation is usually open for bookings

Guesture tip: create one simple sheet per property now, so you’re not chasing details across emails later.

Registration vs Visitor Levy vs licensing: don’t mix these up

These are related, but not the same: 

• Registration starts autumn 2026 and applies to all visitor accommodation (even if a council doesn’t introduce a levy).

• Visitor Levy would only apply in areas where a local council chooses to introduce it, and it can start from 1 April 2027 at the earliest. 

• Licensing is not currently required (it’s being planned). 

What we recommend owners do now (a simple checklist)

• List every property you take bookings for (including “side” listings and seasonal lets).

• Confirm which stays are 31 nights or less (that’s the trigger for registration). 

• Build a property compliance folder: gas safety, EICR, fire docs, insurance, etc. (Not all are part of registration, but it’s smart ops.)

• Assign responsibility: who will submit registrations for each property/company?

• Sign up for WRA updates so you know when registration opens. 

How Guesture helps (if you’d like support)

If we manage your property, we can help you get organised well ahead of the deadline — including building the correct property records, keeping ownership/company details tidy, and ensuring you’re prepared to complete registration smoothly when it opens.

If you want, send us a quick note with how many properties you operate in Wales and whether you host as an individual or through a company — and we’ll tell you exactly what to prepare first.