ASSC Continues Legal Pressure on Short-Term Let Licensing Issues

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) continues to apply legal pressure on the City of Edinburgh Council regarding its handling of short-term let licensing. Recent developments have raised serious concerns about due process, with enforcement officers issuing legally and factually incorrect accusations against licence holders.

Our legal representatives at Burness Paull LLP have written to the Council challenging its approach, highlighting that:

• Licence holders are being wrongly accused of breaching mandatory licensing conditions.
• The Council is making alarming and unfounded threats of criminal prosecution.
• Proper legal processes, including the right to appeal, are being bypassed.

This is a serious matter, as the Council’s actions not only undermine legal protections but also create unnecessary fear and uncertainty for short-term let operators.

We have asked for clarity on how many licence holders have been affected and assurances that enforcement officers will refrain from making such accusations without due process.

Below, we have published the full letter sent on behalf of our members, along with the reply from the City of Edinburgh Council, so members can review the latest legal developments.

We will continue to monitor developments and keep our members informed.