The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has expressed “serious concerns” over what it describes as unfair short-term let (STL) licensing fees imposed by Perth and Kinross Council. The organisation has called on the council to adopt a “fairer approach” when charging businesses with multiple short-term lets on one site.
Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), said:
“We have serious concerns about the unfair short-term let (STL) licensing fees imposed on businesses with multiple units on a single site in Perth and Kinross. This approach, taken by only three local authorities—Argyll & Bute, Stirling, and Perth & Kinross—places businesses in these areas at a significant disadvantage compared to those operating under fairer systems elsewhere in Scotland.
The intent of the licensing framework, as clarified in Scottish Government guidance, is that accommodation on a single premises should require only one licence. Yet, in Perth and Kinross, operators are being charged per unit, resulting in excessive costs. For example, a business with 17 identical lodges on a single site is being charged £18,122 instead of the expected £1,066—a grossly disproportionate fee that threatens the viability of such businesses.
This issue was meant to be addressed in the 2024 Implementation Update, but due to poor drafting, it failed to bring the necessary clarity. The STL Expert Group, chaired by VisitScotland, is now urging the Scottish Government to rectify this through updated guidance.
We urge Perth & Kinross Council to align with the fairer approach taken by other local authorities and follow the Scottish Government’s own advice that multiple units on a single premises should be covered by a single licence. This inconsistency is stifling local businesses and putting them at a competitive disadvantage compared to operators in other parts of Scotland.”