Fort folk give views on short-term lets
Authors of the new study into the impact of short-term lets (STL) found that Fort William, Skye and the country’s capital, Edinburgh, have suffered most when it comes to the supply and cost of residential housing and ‘over-tourism’, as discussed by most resident, community and business participants – and hosts to a lesser extent.
Below is a sample of some responses, both negative and positive: Fort William host: ‘There are enough one-week properties in the area but not enough one-night properties. We are picking up people going to and from Skye and the islands and doing the North Coast 500 route.’ Fort William community:
‘Many hosts are individuals with caring responsibilities and Airbnb fits well with both looking after elderly relatives and children.’
Fort William host: ‘With my poor health I couldn’t keep working the hours I was and needed a job I could do from home and do this seven days a week. I don’t have to travel as much which is much better. It’s given me
a good work/life balance. I work 7am to 1pm and have the afternoons to myself.’ Fort William business:
‘Our problem is strangled development opportunities. It used to be a seasonal problem where you can do (development work) in the winter when the tourists are away and you can find accommodation, but that’s now wiped away because STLs are yearround business.’ Fort William host: ‘It affects people’s ability to rent properties long term. I’ve read in local papers that some long-term lets have been asked to vacate so that they could be changed to STL. So that’s not good.’ Fort William resident:
‘I used to live in a neighbourhood where I knew my neighbours but now as people are dying all the properties are becoming Airbnb. I just want to know who I’m living next to and who I’m sharing my drive with.’ Fort William community:
‘There needs to be a clear distinction made between letting out a room in your home and making a business out of it by buying up whole properties and renting them out. It would put me off if I had to pay fees to do it.’