Hot tub curfews and a ‘bouncing’ ban... rules are red tape nightmare
HOT tub curfews, carpeted hallways and a ban on inflatable play equipment are among the conditions being bolted on to controversial rules targeting staycation operators.
Owners have criticised the fees and red tape nightmare involved, warning the system will drive many out of business.
As well as having to pay for licences, anyone offering shortterm lets will have to satisfy council officials they comply with myriad extra conditions.
Industry leaders say some councils are applying much more ‘onerous and wide-ranging additional conditions than others’, creating a postcode lottery for operators.
There are huge regional variations in the terms imposed by Scotland’s 32 local councils.
City of Edinburgh Council appears to have all but outlawed most flatted accommodation being rented out as holiday lets, and specifies ‘carpet or similar floor covering’ in living rooms and hallways. North Ayrshire requests six copies of costly architectural plans by post, while Argyll and Bute has conditions on bike hire, swimming pools and ponds, and prohibits bouncy play equipment. East Ayrshire says the ‘licence holder must take reasonable steps to ensure that guests do not use the hot tub after 10pm’.
The scheme is viewed by some as a ‘snitch’s charter’, with councils vowing to investigate complaints – which could see licences revoked.