Treehouses, wigwams, caravans, castles and yurts join fee-for-all
THE licensing scheme will apply to every type of residential or commercial accommodation in Scotland that is available for shortterm let – from caravans to castles.
Among the most common types of property to be hit with the levy will be flats and houses where the owner chooses to rent out a spare room through a website such as Airbnb.
Traditional B&Bs and guesthouses across the country will also be forced to apply for a costly annual licence, as will holiday cottages and self-catering flats
Guidance from the Scottish Government highlights that other more unusual short-term lets will also be affected, including canal boats – so long as they are fixed and not used for transport.
Other accommodation covered by the rules includes cabins, chalets, farmhouses, lodges, lighthouses, shepherd huts, tipis, treehouses, wigwams and yurts.
Holiday caravans and glamping pods will also need a licence, unless they are already covered by a caravan site licence.
Under the scheme, which comes into force in April next year, each council sets its own fees, with rates varying according to the potential occupancy, meaning a flat that sleeps one or two guests is cheaper than a ten-bedroom castle.
Fees are lower if guests share the property with the owner – and higher if the property is not owner-occupied, such as a holiday home.