Six-month Extension to Short-term Let Licensing Scheme

The Scottish Government is to delay its plans for a short-term let licensing scheme by at least six months.

In a letter to the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Committee Ariane Burgess, cabinet secretary for housing Shona Robison confirmed the government will now amend the date by which existing operators must apply for a licence from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023.

In the letter, Ms Robison said it is a “one-off” six-month extension recognising the wider economic circumstances of the cost of living crisis that is placing pressure on existing short-term let hosts and businesses at a time when they are organising and budgeting for work to comply with the new licensing requirements.

“We do not intend to propose a change to arrangements for new hosts, who will still be required to obtain a licence before they can accept bookings and receive guests. This upholds the purpose of introducing licensing, which is to ensure all new short-term lets across Scotland meet mandatory conditions (including safety standards) and are provided by fit and proper people. I am content that the current legislation still allows the sector to expand, with authorities having discretion to consider licence applications from prospective buyers of short-term let businesses with the current owner/s consent.”

The letter adds. “In light of this proposed amendment to extend the deadline for applications from existing hosts, I am re-considering the scope and timing of the licensing review we intended to undertake in Summer 2023. I will update the Committee on this in due course.”

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