Rachael Hamilton’s amendment on property classification wins cross party support, backed strongly by the ASSC.
The Scottish Parliament has backed an important amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, brought forward by Scottish Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton, requiring a formal review of how properties are classified for non-domestic rates (NDR) purposes. The amendment – SP899 – won cross-party support and has been welcomed as a constructive and evidence-based move to improve transparency and housing policy.
The amendment mandates Scottish Ministers to conduct a full review of the classification and assessment of properties liable for NDR, with a specific focus on its impact on housing data and decision-making. It must be completed within two years of Royal Assent and will culminate in a report to Parliament outlining findings and any proposed actions.
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), which represents thousands of tourism accommodation providers across the country, has voiced its full support for the amendment.
Fiona Campbell, CEO Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers said:
“This is a timely and necessary intervention. We are delighted that Rachael Hamilton’s amendment has been accepted. It introduces a much-needed mechanism to ensure that decisions about rates classification are based on accurate data and a clear understanding of the broader housing landscape.”
Campbell stressed that misclassifications – particularly concerning self-catering and short-term let properties – risk distorting national housing data and could lead to poorly targeted policy.
“Including this review in the Housing Bill acknowledges that accurate classification affects not just taxation, but the way we understand and plan for Scotland’s housing needs. This isn’t just a win for the ASSC or our sector; it’s a win for data integrity and good governance,” she added.
The amendment’s inclusion of subsections on housing data (2)(d) and housing policy impact (2)(e) was pivotal to its acceptance within the Housing Bill’s remit, underlining the importance of robust, evidence-led policymaking.
Rachael Hamilton brought forward the amendment, with support from the ASSC, to ensure that legitimate industry concerns around the classification process are heard, and to promote better policy outcomes through informed review.
Scottish Borders MSP, Rachael Hamilton, said:
“This is a win for fairness and common sense. Too many self-catering businesses across Scotland have been unfairly penalised due to poor communication and inconsistent processes.
“Many of my constituents in the Scottish Borders have contacted me to express serious concerns about the damaging impact misclassifications are having on their businesses.
“My amendment will restore transparency and ensure that the SNP Government listen to the needs of the sector.
“I know how important the self-catering sector is for the rural economy, so I am delighted to have secured this important step forward.”
The ASSC says it now looks forward to engaging constructively in the review process to ensure fairness, clarity, and proper alignment between tourism, taxation, and housing policy across Scotland.