Bid to clamp down on Airbnb rentals put on hold

A CRACKDOWN on Airbnb and shortterm let properties has been delayed after a tourism sector backlash.

Property owners still have until April 2023 to apply for a licence – but the legislation enforcing this will not be pushed through Holyrood before the election in May.

It will allow further scrutiny of the proposals and additional guidance for the industry, which welcomed the delay – branding the Government’s plans ‘not fit for purpose’. The legislation will force owners of short-term let accommodation – including Airbnb properties – to have a licence.

This could see extra costs of up to £2,000 a year per business. The delay was announced by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart. But he warned that the plans will be re-introduced in June if the SNP wins the Holyrood election.

He said: ‘I know concerns have been raised, so have therefore decided to withdraw this legislation so that it can be reconsidered in parallel with draft guidance which will help address those concerns.’

Tory MSP Annie Wells said: ‘At long last the SNP Government have listened.’ But she added: ‘They have failed to do the right thing by committing that this is the end of the road for these regulations.’

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: ‘This screeching U-turn is the result of the SNP’s failure to listen to the genuine concerns of the tourism sector and Scotland’s hardpressed local authorities.’

Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Self Caterers, said: ‘We consistently warned the proposed legislation was not fit for purpose.’