Ministers amend legislation introduced last October that required anyone offering a short-term home or property rental to apply for a licence
“The Scottish Government’s position is that home-swapping arrangements, which are not in the course of a business, do not require a short-term let licence. We therefore intend to amend the guidance to clarify that home-swapping does require a licence where it is in the course of business but no licence is required where home-swapping is not in the course of business…”.
Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:
“This change from the Scottish Government is grounded in common sense. However, this wouldn’t have been necessary if the licensing legislation was fit for purpose from the very outset. Many will have needlessly applied for a licence and this leaves the question open as to whether these individuals will now be compensated.
“Regrettably, this is illustrative of the many ongoing problems associated with short-term let licensing which could so easily have been avoided through genuine and meaningful industry engagement.
“Changes benefiting home exchanges are welcome but further movement from the Scottish Government is desperately required to save jobs and livelihoods in Scotland’s £1bn professional self-catering sector. The time to act is now before yet more damage is inflicted on a crucial component part of our tourist economy.”