The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) query and challenge The Highland Council’s current approach to short-term let licence renewals, specifically why renewal applications are processed and charged as if they were first-time applications, and why this creates a materially higher regulatory risk and financial burden for self-catering businesses than that faced by private landlords.
We believe the existing renewal framework is inconsistent with the principles of proportionate regulation, creates unnecessary administrative burden for both operators and local authorities, and fails to deliver any demonstrable public benefit.
We urge the Scottish Government to review and reform the renewal process as a priority, and we remain committed to working constructively with Ministers, officials and local authorities to achieve a fair, evidence-led and sustainable regulatory system for Scotland’s self-catering sector.
Response from the Highland Council attached.