Home owners in London will be able to turn their properties into “pseudo hotels” following a new Act of Parliament.

The claim has come from ARLA, which says security could also be undermined.

ARLA is calling for the next government to reconsider the issue.

However, local councils in London were so untroubled by the reform that fewer than half even bothered to comment on it at the consultation stage.

ARLA has criticised certain provisions in the Deregulation Act, saying they will have a “detrimental and unintended effect on the UK lettings market”.

Until now, anyone wanting to let out their property in London for up to 90 days has had to seek planning permission.

ARLA managing director David Cox said: “Relaxing the restrictions on the use of residential properties for short-term lettings in London, will have an adverse effect on the capital’s long established and unique communities.

“The added ability for residential home owners to use their properties as ‘pseudo-hotels’ will lead to a constant churn of short-term tenants, eroding the foundations of existing communities.

“Moreover, the new measures may lead to longer-term more established tenants being forced out; an increase in anti-social behaviour; reduced security; and an increased risk of crime for permanent residents.

“London’s success is predicated upon its varied but long-established community identities, coupled with the ever-growing strength of its booming lettings market.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that more than half the local authorities in London ignored a question in a Government consultation as to whether short-term lets should be deregulated.

The proposal drew responses from just 15 local authorities, of which eight opposed the reform, the House of Lords heard.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Conservative) asked which local authorities (1) opposed the reform, (2) were not opposed, and (3) expressed no opinion.

CLG minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon replied: “Fifteen London local authorities responded to question 22 of the discussion document on Property Conditions in the Private Rented Sector.

“Eight authorities responded to the effect that they opposed reform of the legislation: Haringey, Enfield, Camden, Westminster, Newham, Redbridge, Lambeth and the City of London.

“Seven were not opposed to a review: Lewisham, Sutton, Southwark, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Islington and Greenwich.

“The remaining 18 of the 33 London local authorities did not respond to this question.”