Local authorities in one part of the UK have revealed their charges for the licensing of Airbnb and other short lets.

Scotland’s Short-Term Lets Licensing Order took effect on October 1 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.

Now councils are announcing their charges according to local media in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has advised this should be no more than £437 but many councils says this would not cover the costs of administration.

Glasgow Live news website says owners of short-term lets such as Airbnbs in East Renfrewshire must pay £230 to £595 depending on property size – although the council there has let it be known that the true cost of administering the license is in fact around £1,300.

Glasgow council has suggested four types of short-term lets licensing costs: secondary letting, home letting, home sharing or home letting and home sharing. Costs range from £405 upwards with additional costs per bedroom according to each category. Renewals of licensing will generally be less expensive than the initial licences.

The letting agents’ organisation Propertymark broadly supports the licensing system.

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.”

The Scottish Government’s information on the announcement of the introduction of short term let licensing is here.