No extension for short-term lets licence deadline

Operators of short-term lets will need to apply for a licence by 1 October

First Minister Humza Yousaf has ruled out a further delay to short-term let licensing.

All short-term let (STL) accommodation must have a licence and those who fail to apply can be fined up to £2,500.

The deadline has already been pushed back by six months to 1 October, but some in the sector have asked for more time.

STL operators have warned the new rules could negatively affect the economy, tourism and jobs.

The Scottish Bed and Breakfast Association (SBBA) has urged the first minister to delay the scheme, arguing it will hit tourism and jobs.

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It has warned that two-thirds of Scottish B&B owners are considering closing over the rules.

The first minister said: "There will not be another extension to the deadline.

"It is the right thing to do to bring this licensing scheme in. There has, of course, been an extension already."

Mr Yousaf added that he understood there were concerns about the scheme.

A recent report to an Edinburgh City Council committee suggested up to 80% of STL properties could be lost in the city.

The scheme is designed to tackle the city's housing shortage

"I know that there are some concerns," Mr Yousaf said.

"We continue to work with the sector, in fact cabinet secretary Neil Gray met with the sector, I think it was just last week.

"We'll continue to engage with the sector where we can but there'll be no more extensions."

His comments come in the wake of concerns from the owners of STL properties, such as those on Airbnb, that the changes are an "act of self-sabotage on their businesses and livelihoods".

The report submitted to Edinburgh City Council's policy and sustainability committee said there was "an assumption of an 80% reduction from the Edinburgh 2021 number of active listings reported on Airbnb, as a proxy for the size of short-terms lets".

The licensing scheme would require hosts to display energy performance ratings on listings, have adequate buildings and public liability insurance, as well as various fire and gas safety precautions.

The plan is designed to help tackle the capital's affordable housing shortage.

'Harm to economy'

Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, said the legislation "has the potential to make Scotland a laughing stock".

"A country inflicting harm to its economy, businesses and its people, all the while confused about why it's doing so," she said.

"It's disappointing, and deeply saddening, that the first minister is digging his heels in, as small tourism businesses across the country prepare to close their doors and worry about how they will put food on the table."

She added: "After the shambles of DRS and plans to ban alcohol marketing, the Scottish government made a virtue of its desire to engage with industry and listen to their concerns. We foolishly believed them.

"This policy is threatening the livelihood of countless small businesses - bed and breakfasts, self-catered cottages and the restaurants, cafes, taxis and other businesses supported by the tourism they bring.

"Meanwhile, corporately owned aparthotels are exempt from the SNP and Greens plans."