Delay for Existing Hosts

The Scottish Government has proposed to extend the deadline for existing hosts i.e. those who were operating the application property as an STL property prior to 1^st October 2022, to apply for a Short-term let licence to 1st October 2023.

In order for this date to be formally amended, a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) will have to be passed by the Scottish Parliament, to amend The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022. The Scottish Government  laid this SSI before Parliament on 18^th January 2023 – The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) (Amendment) Order 2023 (legislation.gov.uk) This SSI has been reviewed by the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.

• Watch the evidence session with Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison MSP here.
• Find out about the evidence session with the ASSC here.

While there are obviously still concerns over the legislation, the fact that the Committee agreed to the extension is good news. The next stage is a vote by all MSPs in parliament. We have been advised that a vote is likely to be scheduled in the Scottish Parliament on this in early March 2023.

Until such SSI is passed, the deadline of 1st April 2023 strictly speaking remains the deadline within the current legislation, though the new deadline of 1^st October 2023 now appears likely to be confirmed.

We will advise as soon as the SSI is passed and the legislation has been formally amended.