A controversial scheme imposing severe restrictions on Airbnb and other short let landlords have been watered down by a local authority.

Edinburgh Council says those renting out a spare room, or their entire main home, could be offered a temporary exemption which would exclude them from gas, electrical and fire safety tests if they let out at key periods such as the duration of the summer arts festivals. 

However professional landlords will still have to comply with the mandatory conditions associated with short-term let licensing.

The partial U-turn follows a 12 week consultation last year. 

A further report will be considered by the council in May setting out further details. 

A council spokesperson says: “The Council’s short term lets licensing policy is helping to ensure holiday lets are safe and properly regulated in our city as over 4,400 applications have been granted since it was first introduced in October 2022.

“I welcome the changes to reduce licence fees for residents looking to Home Share and to make temporary exemptions for Home Sharing and Home Letting less onerous, while at the same time providing robust regulation of the short term let industry.”