City of Edinburgh Council has made changes to its short-term let licencing scheme following a recent consultation with both residents and industry. A recent meeting of its Regulatory Committee agreed to allow secondary let STL licences to be renewed for a three-year period, extended from the current one-year period, provided there have been no complaints.
Edinburgh Council had adopted a restrictive approach on licence renewals compared to other Scottish local authorities but these changes will bring secondary let renewals into line with most other Civic and HMO licences.
In proposing the change, the Council’s Regulatory Committee papers stated the following:
“Based on inspection of the properties, the overall standard of secondary let properties is high. Taking this into account, along with the relatively low number of complaints received in respect of secondary lets, it is recommended that the policy should be updated to state that secondary let renewal licences will be capable of being issued for three years, in line with most other Civic and HMO licences.”
The ASSC has proactively and constructively engaged with the Council on both its licencing and planning regimes to try and produce a sound, legal and proportionate regulatory framework in the capital.
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, commented:
“It comes as no surprise to anyone involved in Edinburgh’s self-catering sector that the standard of such properties ought to be deemed ‘high’ and that the number of complaints against such properties was minimal.
While Edinburgh’s licencing scheme is far from perfect, this policy shift on renewals from one to three years is a step in the right direction. We also appreciate the Regulatory Convener writing to the Scottish Government to seek clarity on STL licencing condition MC13 to address the widespread confusion on this matter.
We will continue to leave no stone unturned in these endeavours on behalf of our membership and the wider tourist economy to deliver even more positive outcomes.”
The Council’s press release can be accessed here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14212/short-term-let-renewals-extended-from-one-to-three-years