🎯 STRisker: Global Regulatory Notes (2)

Australia

From July 1, 2026, Australia's new tax ruling will restrict deduction claims for holiday homes classified as "leisure facilities". Owners cannot deduct expenses including mortgage interest, insurance, rates, and maintenance costs.

Chartered Accountants ANZ urges owners to demonstrate genuine rental intent by maintaining year-round availability, especially during peak seasons, setting competitive market rates, and avoiding restrictive guest policies.

Tasmania

Tasmania's government released draft legislation for a 5 percent levy on short-stay accommodations like Airbnb and Stayz, expected to raise $11 million annually to fund stamp duty exemptions for first-home buyers. The levy targets July 2026 implementation and excludes hotels, B&Bs, and caravan parks.

The Tourism Industry Council Tasmania opposes the levy as "unjust", while Hobart's Lord Mayor supports the concept but suggests revenue should fund council regulation of the short-stay sector instead of stamp duty exemptions.

Canada

Central Okanagan, BC

The Regional District of Central Okanagan is proposing significant changes to short-term rental regulations in rural areas. Key updates include limiting stays to 90 days or less, requiring RDCO business licenses for all operators, and eliminating the principal residence requirement.

Additional proposed rules mandate properties be within fire protection areas, meet safety standards, provide off-street parking, and prohibit rentals in accessory units like carriage houses. Public feedback is being collected until February 2nd.

Bracebridge, ON

Bracebridge is seeking public input on establishing a Municipal Services Corporation to manage revenue from its Municipal Accommodation Tax, which applies to hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. The proposed corporation would be town-owned with a council-appointed board.

The tax funds tourism promotion and infrastructure development without increasing local property taxes. Community feedback is being collected through an online survey available until January 30, 2026.

England

London

London is now in consultation phases for a tourist tax after English mayors gained authority from the UK government in November 2025 to impose overnight accommodation charges, with Mayor Sadiq Khan indicating receptiveness to the measure.

Economic projections indicate a 3% levy could create over £350 million in annual revenue for London. The funds would be dedicated to sustaining infrastructure, controlling over-tourism consequences, and reinforcing local services in boroughs with substantial tourist populations.

Conventry, West Midlands

Coventry City Council is exploring an "overnight visitor levy" on tourist accommodation following the UK government's Budget announcement granting mayors and local leaders authority to implement such taxes. No decision will be made without public consultation.

Implementation requires approval from West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and likely cannot occur before 2028 due to required consultation periods and legislative processes.

Mexico

Mexico's major tourism cities including Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City are introducing new bed taxes for travelers. These controversial accommodation fees come alongside dramatic increases in hotel rates across these popular destinations.

The regulatory changes are part of broader tourism development initiatives as Mexico prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Spain

Spanish authorities implemented strict short-term rental reporting requirements with a March 2, 2026 deadline for owners to submit annual rental data. All tourist apartments must be registered with a NRUA number to operate legally.

Non-compliance leads to automatic removal from the centralized registry and platform delisting. The new regulations aim to create a unified database for monitoring the rental market and identifying unauthorized properties operating without proper authorization.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

The Canary Islands Parliament approved new vacation rental regulations in November 2025, but Lanzarote's short-term rentals continued growing to 11,094 properties by January 2026.

Regulatory delays triggered a 109% increase from June 2023 to November 2025. The Canary Association of Vacation Rentals warned the law would practically eradicate vacation rentals, though growth has persisted across Lanzarote's seven municipalities.

Wales

Three regulatory updates to Wales' holiday home legislation will become effective in April 2026. Self-catering businesses can use multi-year letting data for compliance verification, count charitable accommodation donations (up to 14 days) toward letting requirements, and receive one year at standard council tax before premium rates apply.

Written Statement: Consultation on proposals to refine the classification of self-catering properties for local tax purposes – summary of responses | GOV.WALES

Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language

GOV.WALES

Consultation launched to give holiday lets more flexibility | GOV.WALES

New proposals have been suggested to adjust the way tax rules for self-catering holiday let owners are applied.

GOV.WALES

The phased council tax transition becomes a legal requirement from April 2027, ensuring all Welsh councils apply the same standards to holiday properties failing to meet the 182-day letting threshold.

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