What a Week for Advocacy: Malaga to Edinburgh with Impact at Every Stop

From southern Spain to the Scottish Highlands and back to Holyrood, the ASSC has been on the move this week—amplifying the voice of Scotland’s self-catering sector at every step. Here’s a look back at a whirlwind week of representation, challenge, and constructive dialogue.

Malaga – European Collaboration at the Vitur Summit
We began the week in Malaga at the prestigious Vitur Summit, gathering with STR leaders and policymakers from across the EU. It was a privilege to reconnect with European colleagues including Carlos Perez-Lanzac de Lorca and Nuno Jorge Trico to discuss cross-border challenges and opportunities in short-term rental regulation.

Paris – EHHA Leadership Connections
Next stop: Paris, where Fiona was delighted to meet with Marie Pistinier, Vice Chair of the European Holiday Homes Association. Strengthening international alliances remains vital as the STR sector responds to growing regulatory pressures across Europe.

Edinburgh – A Focus on Visitor Levy Reform
Virtually, back in Scotland, we engaged in a vital meeting with Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee and STA Chief Executive Marc Crothall to discuss pragmatic ways to strengthen the Visitor Levy. We’re committed to continuing these discussions to address the emerging challenges surrounding implementation and fairness.

Inverness – Regional Event & Highland Dialogue
From there, we headed north to Inverness for a well-attended and energising Regional Event. Sincere thanks to all who participated—particularly Angus MacDonald OBE MP for travelling from Westminster. We also held a highly constructive session with The Highland Council and Booking.com to examine implementation issues surrounding the Visitor Levy. However, it revealed new and unanticipated challenges that require urgent attention.

Edinburgh – Non-Domestic Rates and Catch-22 Concerns
We met with the Scottish Government’s Head of Non-Domestic Rates to raise increasing concerns over the impasse facing self-catering businesses. With Assessors claiming they require legislative instruction and Ministers insisting on Assessor independence, we’re facing a troubling Catch-22.

Recent data (PQ S6W-37290) shows that 3,810 self-catering properties were removed from the valuation roll in 2023–24—more than double the figure from 2022–23. This sharp anomaly cannot be ignored. We continue to support the original legislative intent but call for urgent intervention to restore clarity, fairness, and confidence.

Edinburgh – Critical Meeting with the Council Leader

We closed the week with a pivotal meeting with the Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council to raise urgent concerns about ongoing maladministration and enforcement actions relating to STL licensing.

Key issues discussed included:

• The Council’s continued insistence on requiring a Certificate of Lawfulness (COLU), despite a Court of Session ruling against it;
• Unjust enforcement measures—including action taken against a licensed operator whose appeal is pending;
• The effective de facto ban on STLs within Edinburgh, described by Lord Braid as “oppressive and disproportionate”;
• And serious safety concerns following the Council’s decision to waive health and safety checks for Temporary Exemptions during the Edinburgh Festivals.

We urged the Council to halt unlawful planning demands, review punitive enforcement practices, reinstate equal safety standards, and work constructively with the sector to support both public safety and business viability. We requested a formal commitment to revisit policy in partnership with the ASSC and to avoid further reputational and economic damage to the city.

SPSO Complaint Lodged – Defending Operator Rights
This week also saw the submission of a formal group complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) on behalf of 164 STL operators. The complaint challenges the Council’s unlawful COLU policy, which remains in place despite being struck down by the Court of Session in December 2023.

This persistence has imposed significant, unjustified financial burdens on businesses. The complaint calls for:

• Full reimbursement of planning and professional fees;
• A formal apology;
• And urgent revisions to guidance and licensing practices.

EPC Consultation Response – Defending Sector Distinction
The ASSC also submitted a comprehensive response to the UK Government’s consultation on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for privately rented homes. We strongly asserted that short-term lets are not part of the Private Rented Sector and should be exempt.

Drawing on robust survey data, we outlined the seasonal, commercial nature of self-catering accommodation, and warned that inappropriate EPC requirements could be both economically damaging and environmentally counterproductive.

We called for:

• A formal exemption for short-term lets from PRS MEES;
• Recognition of the sector’s distinct characteristics;
• And a proportionate, sector-led approach to climate action.

Continuing the Work, Driving the Change
From EU-level forums to local authority interventions, this week demonstrates the breadth and depth of the ASSC’s advocacy work. We remain resolutely committed to protecting, supporting, and promoting the interests of Scotland’s self-catering sector through evidence, collaboration, and tireless representation.