Shortterm let license scheme update

Perth and Kinross Council has moved a step closer to introducing a licensing scheme for short-term lets.

The aim of the scheme is to allow Scottish councils such as PKC to“balance the needs and concerns of communities with wider tourism and economic interests”.

The scheme will be introduced this autumn in line with legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament in January this year.

The new legislation requires Scotland’s local authorities to establish a short-term lets licensing scheme by October 1, 2022.

While short-term lets can boost the local economy, the legislation has been introduced due to issues such as noise, litter and a shortage of housing arising in some areas.

A draft of the short-term lets licencing scheme and schedule of fees went before PKC’s Licensing Committee on August 3.

Councillors were told by licensing manager Debra Gilkison PKC would have to take on more staff to deal with the volume of applications.

Fees are being set for the licences to cover costs accrued by the council in delivering this. They vary from council to council.

Some councils will be able to handle the licences within their current workforce but PKC is currently advertising for additional members of staff.

Ms Gilkison told the committee:“We are expecting 2-2500 applications for licences.

“We have to take on staff to deal with the volume of applications we expect to receive.”

The fees vary for the size and type of property - rising to as much as £1600 for a three-year secondary letting licence for accommodation with over 11 guests.

Ms Gilkison said that the local authority“would expect people to apply for temporary exemption for things like the Ryder Cup and any major music festivals”.

Following approval of the recommendations by the Licensing Committee, PKC’s head of legal and governance services will now conduct a public consultation on the draft Short Term Let Policy Statement and schedule of fees to gather views from the public, businesses, hosts and operators on the scheme.

A report with the final draft of the policy and schedule of fees will go before the Licensing Committee ahead of the scheme coming into force on October 1.