Users of Airbnb in London at least will be relieved that reforms in the law means that they will be able to rent spaces in their homes without fear of prosecution.
The changes also apply to other short-stay websites, such as One Fine Stay, a British version of Airbnb.
Ministers are to scrap rules from the 1970s on short-term lets which prevent homeowners in London from letting their properties on holiday websites.
“The internet is changing the way we work and live, and the law needs to catch up,” said Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary.
Thousands of people in the UK have advertised their spare rooms on apartments on various websites. Charges lower than those of hotels have made them a popular option for visitors.
Londoners had been required by law to apply for planning permission from the council if they rented out their homes for less than three months. Implementation of the law, however, varied in different council areas of London.
But the new regulations will still prevent people from turning their homes into hotels or hostels without receiving a change of use permission.
Airbnb started in San Francisco in 2008 and since then more than 15 million property owners have used it to advertise accommodation.
Some, especially hoteliers, would like to see the end of Airbnb.
