Legislation on the horizon to control short-term letting

LOCAL authorities can expect to be handed powers to control the letting of homes on a short-term basis (for instance, to holiday makers), courtesy of legislation to be considered by the Scottish Parliament.

According to an announcement from the Scottish Government, here: “Councils will be given powers to ensure short-term lets are safe and meet the needs of their local communities under legislation laid before the Scottish Parliament.”

The Parliament has a majority of SNP/Scottish Greens MSPs, who, together, form the Scottish Government.

The announcement continues: “Under the legislation, all local authorities will be required to establish a short-term lets licensing scheme by October 2022.

“Existing hosts and operators will have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence for each property that they operate as a short-term let. All short-term lets in Scotland will have to be licensed by 1 July 2024.”

The announcement adds: “The legislation was developed after residents across Scotland raised significant concerns about the impact of short-term lets on their communities, including noise, anti-social behaviour and the impact on the supply on housing in some areas.

“It will ensure the needs and concerns of communities are balanced with wider economic and tourism interests.”

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland