Sep

Scots short-lets landlords must get new property licences by 1st April

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Scotland’s new short-term lets law goes live on 1^st October when any new landlords will need to apply for a licence.

Those already letting their property have until 1st April to apply and will need to prove that they used the property for short-term lets before 1st October.

The country’s Short-Term Lets Licensing Order requires all Scottish councils to have a licensing system with the aim of protecting communities in areas with high visitor numbers. Each council will set the licence cost, which is likely to vary depending on the property size and type of let.

Propertymark now wants the Scottish government to further clarify the definition of a short-term let to ensure the system operates as intended.

It has proposed two amendments to the order that would make clear that a holiday let falls within the scope of the definition of a short-term let and ensure that HMO landlords are not subject to duplicate licensing requirements.

Health and safety

Brian Moran, Propertymark’s regional executive for Scotland (pictured), says: “Such an amendment to the HMO definition would have the additional benefit of affording contract and transient workers the same health and safety rights as those that reside in a shared rented property full-time.”

However, he says it’s positive to see the Scottish government taking proactive steps to ensure renters’ safety. “With Edinburgh in particular faced with an overhaul of short-term lets, licensing will now enable the local authority to control the number available within the capital and encourage longer term rentals which are desperately needed in order to compete with growing demand,” adds Moran.

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