Regulation for short term lets Scotland

A proposed scheme to regulate short-term lets in Glasgow will go out to a public consultation.

The new licensing scheme follows changes to the recent Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, which allows local authorities to introduce a licensing framework for short-term rental property owners to abide by.

However within this scheme there are several property types that are except from inclusion. These include licensed accommodation, hotels and mobile accommodation, as well as health and education accommodation.

What does the short term license scheme set out to do?

The scheme sets out limits on the number of people that can stay in a property depending on the number of rooms available. In addition, it calls for fire, gas and electrical safety standards to be met with a test to licence holders.

It will be an offence to operate as short-term let without a licence and there is also a complaints process for neighbours and tenants under the revised civic government legislation.

Public liability insurance would be required for the duration of any let and licence holders are required to act reasonably in relation to maintenance for any communal areas. In addition, waste management is highlighted and finally, key boxes can only be attached to a property with prior, written permission of owners or the relevant authority.

When will the short term license come in to action?

All short-term lets are expected to be licensed by Aril 1, 2024. The operator of any short-term let that existed prior to October 1, 2022 will have until April 1, 2023 to submit a licensing application.

Current planning policy in Glasgow indicates that flats used for short stay accommodation are required to gain planning permission and licensing applications must be accompanied by proof that planning consent is in place. Planning permission is not required for home sharing, secondary letting for a house and home letting for a house.

The benefits of license applications

Councillor Alex Wilson, chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, believes that this legislation will give safeguards to neighbouring properties used for short-term lets.

He said: “Online booking for short-term lets has transformed where people stay for their holidays and made it far easier for property holders to get involved in the rental market. But this explosion in short-term lets also directly impacts upon those living in neighbouring properties and can affect their quality of life if a let is poorly managed.

“This draft policy is an attempt to redress the balance and give other residents some comfort that the short-term let in their close or community will be operated safely and appropriately. The policy sets basic standards that any reasonable host should be able to achieve and so provide reassurances to neighbouring residents, but also those who rent the property.

“But it is vitally important that this policy is developed in conjunction with the community at large. We will be seeking views directly from a range of stakeholders, but our consultation on this issue will be open to all and we urge anyone with an interest in this issue to contribute their opinion. Full details of how to respond to the consultation will be released in due course.”

Further information of applying for a short term license

If you are still unclear on whether you meet the licensing requirements, a full version of the draft policy is available on the Glasgow Council website. Here you can also fill out your application form should it be deemed necessary for you to apply for a license.