As we approach the final deadline for Short-Term Let (STL) legislation, Scotland’s STL community continues to draw significant media attention, featured prominently in the press, TV and other media outlets.
The ASSC remains resolute in advocating for regulation, but always with a commitment to fairness and reason. Our advocacy for proportionate and well-justified regulation dates back to 2016. Unfortunately, the current framework falls short, and policies across Scotland are now being deemed unlawful. Our pursuit of a better solution persists…
Below, you’ll find a compilation of the most recent media coverage on this issue and other related tourism news.
Stay informed about the latest developments by engaging with us on our social media platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Join the conversation today!
20th September 2023
19th September 2023
- Courier, ‘Luxury’ Perth Airbnb with rooftop hot tub could close as planning permission refused
- Shetland Times, Influx of licence applications ahead of new requirements
- Herald, ‘Time running out’ to halt ‘disastrous’ scheme, Yousaf told
- Scottish Business News, ASSC snapshot survey highlights yet more STL licensing concerns ahead of 1st October deadline
- Herald, ‘Time running out’ to halt ‘disastrous’ scheme, Yousaf told
- Scottish Business News, ASSC snapshot survey highlights yet more STL licensing concerns ahead of 1st October deadline
- Tourism
- Daily Telegraph, Tax motorhomes in Scotland, says Highland Council
18th September 2023
Tourism
Friday 15th September 2023
- Opinion piece by Andy Wightman in Holyrood Magazine: https://www.holyrood.com/comment/view,shortterm-lets-its-time-to-dial-down-the-rhetoric
- Scotsman, Short-term lets Scotland: University boss warns lets licensing could make Edinburgh’s student housing shortages worse
- Evening News, One size fits all approach not suitable for STL legislation – Miles Briggs
- Arran Banner, Short-term lets licence extension vital for rural Scotland
- Exclusive: Short-term lets Scotland: University boss warns lets licensing could make Edinburgh’s student housing shortages worse
Under the changes, all short-term let accommodation must have a licence and operators who fail to apply can be fined up to £2,500. Critics say it risks severely damaging Scotland’s tourism industry, with Airbnbs and similar accommodation being turned into second homes, lying empty for much of the year.Prof Harmon, an economist, suggested Edinburgh’s housing shortages could be eased by building more purpose-built student accommodation, while another option would be to use university-owned land for new housing,Scotsman, Edinburgh’s student accommodation problems set to get worse with landlords put off by rent freezes and possibly short-term let licensing – Professor Colm Harmon
14th September 2023
13th September 2023
- Herald, Fergus Ewing rebels again as Holyrood rejects delay to short-term lets
- Inverness Courier, Failure to halt short-term lets licensing ‘disappointing’, says Highland MSP
- Same copy, with FC quoted, also covered in the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, John O’Groat Journal, Ross-shire Journal, and Northern Times.
- iNews, Short-term lets: ‘Accidental’ SNP rebellion not enough to delay start of licensing scheme
- STV News, Error sees ministers vote against Scottish Government on short-term lets
- Mail +, Talk of yurts and boozy gazebos, but no mention of campervans…
- Scotsman, Tory bid to delay short-term let scheme fails amid warnings of an ‘existential threat’ to Scottish tourism
- Edinburgh Reporter, Short term lets – Conservatives’ bid to stop legislation fails
- Evening News, Edinburgh short-term lets: Licensing scheme condemned for including B&Bs and spare rooms but delay bid fails
- Daily Record, SNP MSP Fergus Ewing rebels against Scottish Government again despite facing party suspension
- Daily Record, Special SNP group meeting called as rebel MSP Fergus Ewing faces suspension
- Landlord Today, More Time! Call for politicians to extend Airbnb licensing deadline
- Grampian Online, Banff holiday lodges proposal is approved by councillors
- Evening News, Edinburgh short term lets: Airbnb owners in Edinburgh warn of rise in abuse and threats
- Scottish Daily Express, Fury as SNP housing minister tells short term let owner to ‘get another job or go on benefits’
- National, Tory bid to delay short-term lets scheme fails despite Labour support
- Holyrood, MSPs vote against Tory bid to delay short-term lets scheme
- Herald, Union slams ‘hysterical opposition’ to SNP’s short-term lets plans
- STV News, Short-term let hosts urged to sign up to licensing scheme or face fine
Visitor Levy
Tourism
12th September 2023
- Scottish Business News, 1500 strong letter calls on the First Minister to think again on STL licensing
- The Scottish Greens have issued another comment, this time attacking Scottish Labour for siding with the Scottish Conservatives in calling for a delay: https://greens.scot/news/labour-are-betraying-communities-by-siding-with-tories-on-short-term-lets-licensing
- Fiona’s Campbell, ASSC CEO interview with BBC Scotland’s Politics Scotland programme can be accessed here (9mins 30 secs in): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001qktt/politics-scotland-13092023
- P&J, SNP veteran Fergus Ewing catches Covid – but still launches new attack on his party for treating people like ‘criminals’: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/6142462/fergus-ewing-short-term-lets-covid/
- Herald, Ministers reject final plea on short-term lets ahead of Holyrood vote
- Scottish Daily Express, 1500 businesses sign letter to Humza Yousaf in ‘final plea’ to ditch short term let licenses
- Scottish Housing News, Tories and tourism sector issue final plea for short-term lets delay
- Northern Times, Protestors call on the First Minister to think again on STL licensing
- Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Protesters call on the First Minister to think again on STL licensing
- Oban Times, “Mass exodus” of short term lets as licence deadline looms
- STV News, Tories urge ministers to ‘see sense’ and pause short-term let licensing changes
- National, Scottish Tories to force vote on short-term lets scheme this week
- Courier, Only 35 Angus short-term let licences granted with new Airbnb rules deadline just three weeks away
10th September 2023
- Herald, Glasgow, Edinburgh among councils ‘facing legal challenge
- Herald, Fergus Ewing faces suspension from SNP Holyrood group for ‘few weeks’
- Scottish Sun, TOP AWARD SNP MSP warns of more trouble for Humza Yousaf after winning gong for string of rebellions
- DNG24, MSP blasts new accommodation rules
- East Lothian Courier, North Berwick: Group calls for urgent review of holiday lets
- National, Notice issued to Glasgow flat used as Airbnb after complaints
- DNG24, MSP blasts new accommodation rules
- Scottish Daily Express, Short term lets hit Highland accommodation as locals say they are on a ‘cliff edge’
- Daily Record, Fergus Ewing mocks ‘flushable’ Scottish Government policies and hints at losing SNP whip
- Times, Fergus Ewing to lose SNP whip after series of rebellions
- From The Times: “Ewing dropped a heavy hint he will once again break the whip and vote against the Scottish government on Wednesday, when the Conservatives lead a debate on controversial new licences for short-term lets. His remarks enraged members of the SNP leadership, who said he would be suspended “within the next two weeks”.”
- Herald, Council tax on second homes to double from April under SNP-Green plan
- Herald, Short-term lets licensing row now ‘irrational’ says charity
- National, Neil Gray: Scottish Government will not back down on short term lets licensing
- Herald, Former Tourism Minister challenges short-term lets law
- Herald, Scotland’s polarising Airbnb-style short-term lets crackdown
- Herald, North Coast 500 region tourist accommodation ‘shortage’
- Arran Banner, Short-term let operators urged to apply before licensing deadline
7th September 2023
6th September 2023
