The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) recognises that Scotland faces significant housing challenges. Falling rates of housing delivery, growing demand for social housing, affordability pressures and concerns around housing quality all require urgent policy attention.
However, effective policymaking requires a clear understanding of the causes of these challenges and whether interventions are delivering their intended outcomes.
In June 2026, the ASSC published Scotland’s Housing Challenge: Rebalancing the Evidence, a comprehensive briefing for Scottish Ministers, MSPs and policymakers examining the latest housing statistics, short-term let licensing data and independent research.
The briefing asks a simple but important question:
Has extensive regulatory intervention in Scotland’s self-catering sector delivered measurable housing benefits?
The evidence demonstrates that Scotland’s housing challenges are fundamentally driven by:
These challenges require long-term structural solutions.
Since 2022, Scotland has introduced one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for short-term lets in Europe, including:
These measures have significantly reshaped Scotland’s self-catering sector and imposed substantial compliance costs on businesses.
The latest Scottish Government licensing statistics show:
These figures demonstrate successful implementation of the licensing regime and high levels of compliance.
However, there remains no robust national evidence demonstrating that these interventions have resulted in:
The evidence currently demonstrates regulatory activity. It does not demonstrate corresponding housing benefits.
Independent analysis by BiGGAR Economics estimates that:
This does not mean short-term lets cannot have localised impacts. However, it does raise important questions about where policy effort is most likely to deliver meaningful housing outcomes.
The Scottish Government’s licensing statistics cover a broad range of accommodation types, including:
Many of these accommodation types would not ordinarily contribute to permanent residential housing supply if they ceased operating.
Policy discussions should therefore distinguish between conventional residential dwellings and wider categories of visitor accommodation.
The ASSC believes that housing policy should focus on interventions most likely to deliver measurable outcomes for communities.
We support:
Accelerating housebuilding, supporting affordable housing delivery and removing barriers to housing development.
Prioritising vacant and underutilised properties where there is clear potential to increase housing availability.
Ensuring future interventions are supported by robust housing impact assessments and meaningful outcome monitoring.
Recognising that housing and tourism markets differ significantly across Scotland and avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches.
Pausing further expansion until existing Control Areas have been independently evaluated against their stated housing objectives.
Exploring a dedicated Use Class Order for self-catering accommodation to provide clarity, consistency and a more proportionate long-term planning framework.
Housing and tourism should not be viewed as competing interests.
Scotland needs thriving communities, affordable homes and a successful visitor economy. Achieving all three requires policy that is evidence-led, proportionate and focused on outcomes rather than assumptions.
The ASSC remains committed to working constructively with Scottish Government, local authorities, MSPs and industry partners to develop practical solutions that address housing challenges while supporting the businesses, jobs and communities that depend upon Scotland’s visitor economy.
Read the full briefing: Scotland’s Housing Challenge: Rebalancing the Evidence.