CONTROLS on Airbnb-style short-term lets are being considered by the Scottish Government amid concerns of antisocial behaviour and their impact on the housing market.
A consultation found wide support for tougher regulations on people renting rooms and homes, with landlords and businesses voicing concerns about short-term lets.
Scotland’s Housing Minister announced the Government will consider how to regulate the industry and manage the impact in “tourist hot spots” such as Edinburgh and Skye.
Kevin Stewart said: “Short-term lets can offer people a flexible and cheaper travel option and have contributed positively to Scotland’s tourism industry and local economies.
“However, we know that in certain areas, particularly tourist hot spots, high numbers of short-term lets are causing problems and often making it harder for people to find homes to live in. The responses to our consultation confirm support for new controls over short-term letting of residential properties in these areas.
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“We will carefully consider the evidence before setting out our proposals later this year.”
Separate research into the effect of short-term lets published by the Scottish Government found a three-fold increase in Airbnb listings in Scotland between April 2016 and May 2019.
Across the whole of Scotland, 1.2% of residential properties are now
listed on Airbnb, according to the research, with some areas experiencing a much higher proportion of rented properties advertised on the website.
The research identified five key impacts of short-term lets on Scottish communities – local economic benefits, increased potential earnings for homeowners, reduced availability of residential housing, a negative impact on the quality of life for people living in areas with high-concentrations of Airbnb properties and increased congestion from tourism.
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