Capital crackdown on Airbnb visitor rentals
Storm as council makes it harder for people to let out their homes
‘This is a bitter blow to many’
A CRACKDOWN on Airbnb and other short-term lets has been given the goahead in Scotland’s capital.
Edinburgh City Council’s plans for a ‘short-term let control area’ have been approved by the Scottish Government.
It means that anyone looking to turn an existing property into a holiday rental will first need to secure planning permission.
The move is being introduced following concerns about the rapid growth of holiday accommodation in Edinburgh.
But the changes have faced heavy criticism, with Airbnb saying it will impact on many people who occasionally rent out a property to bring in extra income to help them cope with rising prices.
The Scottish Government said the change will help maintain the availability of long-term residential housing in Edinburgh.
Anyone looking to rent out a residential property could be refused permission if planners deem there to be too many shortterm lets already.
Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: ‘Our members in the capital, who help to generate more than £70million each year, will be rightly concerned about what this means for their livelihood in what is already a challenging regulatory and economic environment.
‘Self-catering properties have been a longstanding presence in Edinburgh for decades, providing a vital source of alternative accommodation during major events.
‘It is therefore somewhat ironic that this news comes in the same week that many Festival performers and visitors will be arriving in the city. We believe a city-wide control area is wholly disproportionate. As we have warned, the council’s unevidenced plans are seriously deficient and will simply drive many small businesses to close without achieving their policy objective, as well as damaging Edinburgh’s position as a world leading Festival city.’
The move follows concerns about overuse of properties and antisocial behaviour.
Council leader Cammy Day said: ‘For far too long, too many homes have been lost in our city to the holiday market. In fact, around a third of all short term lets in Scotland are here in the capital, so their associated issues of safety, anti-social behaviour and noise have a detrimental effect on many of our residents.
But Airbnb said many people rent to raise income, and highlighted an economic analysis which shows its rentals boost the Scottish economy by £677million a year and support 33,500 jobs.
A spokesman said: ‘The vast majority of hosts in Scotland are regular people who occasionally rent one home to boost their income. Almost four in ten say the extra earnings help them afford the rising cost of living.’
Scottish Conservative housing spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘Everyone understands the pressures on Edinburgh’s housing market, but the SNP have typically taken a we-know-best attitude towards this legislation, rather than consulting with those who will be affected.
‘This is a bitter blow to many businesses who are only just recovering from the pandemic and are suffering with rising prices.’
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘I recognise the important role which short-term lets play as a source of flexible and responsive accommodation for tourists and workers, which brings many benefits to hosts, visitors and our economy.
‘However, we know that in certain areas, particularly tourist hot spots, high numbers of lets can cause problems for neighbours and make it harder for people to find homes to live in.
‘The Scottish Government considers that the council has adequately considered and responded to concerns raised before seeking approval of the control area designation. We have concluded that the proposed designation would be reasonable.’