The ASSC has gathered data to understand the experiences, challenges, and perceptions relating to the Short-Term Let Licence application process in Scotland and share the key findings below:
Key findings
- Total responders 1195
- 65% of survey respondents are ASSC Members
- 88% of responders are self-catering operators
- 92% have applied for a licence
- 96% of those applied are existing operators
- 40% of applicants have not received any notification relating to their application
- 39% of those applied have been given a provisional licence and 19% have been granted a licence
- 69% found the application process difficult
- 38% experienced difficulty with the application process due to level of IT skills and access to technology
- 86% rate the overall costs as expensive to very expensive (46% say very expensive)
- EPC mentioned regularly as an expensive part of the licence process
- 52% encountered confusion or contradictions in the guidance provided by local authorities. Comments included: Baffling, confusing, complicated, lack of clarity, no single source of truth, conflicting advice, contradiction, no clear guidance, no help from the council.
- 45% say they did not receive adequate support from their local authority
- 54% have concerns about the privacy of personal information being shared during the short-term let licence application process
- 47% noted the primary hurdle was that the application process was ‘burdensome, onerous and time consuming’