Licences plan to curb Airbnb growth

PROPERTIES used for short-term lets and Airbnb-style rentals will have to get licences from councils under new Scottish Government plans.

Ministers want to tackle the growth of Airbnb-style rentals in popular tourist areas such as Edinburgh, and will ask individual councils to set the requirements for granting a licence while allowing uncapped fees to cover the costs.

The scheme aims to ensure a minimum safety standard for rentals and a greater balance between the needs of communities and benefits for tourism and the economy. Hosts and operators have been told the regulations could introduce ‘possible changes to taxation’.

MSPs need to debate and approve the proposed legislation, and the Government said it will release further guidance in early 2022. Local authorities will each have to devise a licensing system for the properties by October next year, with all operators then required to apply for a licence by July 1 2024. Existing hosts and landlords will have to obtain a licence by April 2023 under the proposed law.

Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘This is the next significant step to delivering a licensing scheme that will ensure short-term lets are safe and the people providing them are suitable.

‘Short-term lets can offer a flexible travel option. However, we know in certain areas, particularly tourist hotspots, high numbers of lets can cause problems for neighbours and make it harder for people to find homes.

‘The licensing scheme and control area legislation give councils the powers to take action where they need to.’