Only one in five short-term let applications approved – Tories

Only a fifth of applications for short-term let properties have been approved as of March this year, according to data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.

Freedom of information responses from 31 of Scotland’s 32 councils showed 21% of the 3,148 applications had been approved.

The deadline for hosts of Airbnb-style properties to register with this scheme was extended from the end of March to the end of October this year.

Ministers said the delay was due to concerns over the cost-of-living crisis.

The scheme requires hosts to display energy performance ratings on listings and have adequate buildings and public liability insurance as well as various fire and gas safety precautions.

The aim is to have every relevant property fully licensed by July 2024.

Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey said the figures showed that councils do not have the resources to process applications quickly enough.

She said: “These eye-opening figures are further damning proof that the SNP’s flawed short-term lets licencing scheme is not fit for purpose.

“Our councils, which have suffered for years at the hands of savage SNP-Green cuts, simply do not have the resources to process applications in the timely manner that is required.

“With only one in five applications being processed since the order came into force last October, small businesses and individuals are continuing to be hamstrung by this anti-business SNP-Green coalition.

“While I fully accept that there is a need to take local interests into account, particularly where there are housing shortages, the industry warned of the huge downsides of the SNP-Greens’ one-size fits all approach.

“Businesses across Scotland are grappling with rising costs and this licensing scheme is a huge burden on them at a time when more bureaucracy is the last thing they need.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “These figures from March 2023 represent a snapshot in time – publicly available information now indicates that over 1,000 short-term let licences have been granted, with more being processed every day.

“Anyone operating short-term lets prior to October 2022 has until 1 October 2023 to apply for a licence, and these hosts can continue operating while their application is being determined by local authorities.

“Licensing regulation ensures short-term lets comply with consistent safety standards across Scotland. It also gives licensing authorities powers to strike a balance between the needs and concerns of local communities and the wider economic and tourism benefits of short-term lets.

“The housing minister recently met with the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers to discuss short-term let licensing. We remain committed to engaging with stakeholders about implementation of the scheme and continue to be responsive in our approach.”