The first step within the UK to officially monitor Airbnb-style short lets comes into effect tomorrow, October 1.

Scotland’s Short-Term Lets Licensing Order takes effect on that date and requires all councils in Scotland to have an operational licensing system for Airbnb and other short lets.

Those hosts already letting their property have until April 1 2023 to apply and will need to prove that they used the property for short-term lets before October.

Licensing short term rental properties aims to not only protect existing communities in areas with high visitor numbers through the management of short-term let licences, but ensure an appropriate number are allocated and provide local authorities with an understanding of activity in a particular area.

The agents’ service Propertymark has shown its support for the introduction of health and safety as part of the requirements being put in place through the licensing system as protecting those seeking a short-term let is of upmost importance.

Brian Moran, Propertymark regional executive for Scotland, comments: “It is positive to see that the Scottish Government is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of those renting short term accommodation.

“With Edinburgh in particular faced with an overhaul of short term lets, licensing will now enable the local authority to control the number available within the capital and encourage longer term rentals which are desperately needed in order to compete with growing demand.”

However, Propertymark continues to call for clarification on the definition of a short-term let to make sure that the system operates as intended.

In its consultations response, Propertymark proposes two amendments to the Order that would make clear that a holiday let falls within the scope of the definition of a short-term let and ensure that landlords providing Houses in Multiple Occupation are not subject to duplicate licensing requirements. 

Such an amendment to the HMO definition would have the additional benefit of affording contract and transient workers the same health and safety rights as those that reside in a shared rented property full-time.

The full response can be read here: www.propertymark.co.uk/resource/short-term-lets-licensing-in-scotland.html

The Scottish Government’s information on the announcement of the introduction of short term let licensing can also be read here: https://www.mygov.scot/short-term-let-licences