A council clampdown on four short let flats in Edinburgh has been backed by the Scottish Government.

The council discovered that the short let properties were operating without planning permission and were also “causing harm to residential amenity” because of various anti-social disturbances. 

Enforcement notices were served on the owners but this was appealed to the Scottish Government – however, Holyrood has now backed the council move.

A spokesman for Edinburgh council says: “It’s very encouraging to see [the government] so strongly supporting our position on these four properties and it’s good news that they won’t be lost as residences for our citizens in the future. 

“This is so important as short term lets have reduced the city’s housing stock, hollowed out communities and caused numerous issues for residents such as noise and other anti-social behaviour.

“This time last year we welcomed the Scottish Government announced that our call for a new regulatory scheme had been successful. Since then they have carried out a consultation and subject to Parliament approval, new legislation will be brought in by government on April 1 this year.

“This is very welcome as it will improve the lives of many of our residents throughout the city.”

The legislation will set levels on the numbers of short lets in the cities and will require those properties eligible to be short let to seek change of use planning consent.