Licence applications under the SNP-Green government’s “reckless” new short-term lets scheme are taking more than three months to process in around half of Scotland’s councils.
Responses to Scottish Conservative Freedom of Information requests reveal that operators wait an average of more than a quarter of a year for applications to be dealt with in 14 of the 28 local authorities which replied.
Shadow secretary for business, economic growth and tourism Murdo Fraser said that short-term let providers, the tourist industry and the Scottish Conservatives had “repeatedly warned” the SNP-Green Government about the likely impact of the regulations.
But ministers refused to delay the implementation of the scheme – and large numbers of operators are now leaving the sector.
He added that the waits being experienced by businesses were yet another example of the Nationalist coalition “hammering small businesses and our tourism sector” with a series of unnecessary regulations.
Shadow secretary for business, economic growth and tourism Murdo Fraser MSP said: “The Scottish Conservatives, small businesses and the tourism industry repeatedly warned the SNP-Green government about the damage these reckless regulations were likely to cause.
“But ministers stubbornly refused to listen and, instead of pausing for consultation, ploughed ahead with their plans.
“They insisted that the requirements were not onerous, and would have little impact on the sector, yet licences have already been refused for buildings that are under the control of ministers themselves.
“And it turns out that operators are facing not just unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles, but unacceptable delays because Scotland’s councils – which have been starved of cash by the SNP-Greens – are ill-equipped to process applications.
“This is yet another example of the Nationalist coalition hammering small businesses and our tourism sector.”
Notes
Processing times for short-term let applications are taking more than three months in at least 14 councils. Average processing times for short-term let applications under SNP-Green licensing scheme, are taking more than three months in at least 14 councils. This information was obtained through Freedom of Information Request by the Scottish Conservatives, with 28 of the 32 councils providing the requested for formation. (FOIs available on request).
A study for Airbnb last year found that the new licencing laws risk costing the Scottish economy as much as £133m, and could put more than 7,000 jobs at risk. (New licensing system for short term lets could cost the Scottish economy £133m, Biggar Economics, 9 June 2022, link)
A report for Edinburgh Council forecast that up to 80% of Short Term Lets may have to close as a result of the SNP’s legislation (A Visitor Levy for Edinburgh: Progress Update and Draft Proposal, Policy and Sustainability Committee, Edinburgh Council, 22 August 2023, link)
STL consent was refused for Holyrood park lodges owned by Scottish ministers.