Read in another post that someone had an Airbnb reservation which the host reached out and asked them to cancel. As of 1 October all short term rentals (under 29 days) must obtain a license which I am told is very expensive. We have 3 difference Airbnb's booked for the first week if November so I reached out to them. Only heard back from one but she said she cant afford the license so I would have to cancel the Airbnb as if she did they would charger her fees. I called Airbnb and the rep said they were not aware. I told her I was very surprised as it starts in 2 weeks. Now we have to find alternate accommodation but have to ask if they have a license. We are a party of 8 so I might be difficult finding somewhere at the last minute. Has anyone heard of this ?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Well, I am more aware of cities requiring this, rather than countries, ans yes, it can cause a mess for hosts and guests alike.
It would be interesting if you could include some reference material, as I was just thinking today about starting a plan to Scotland.
The reference may only be apartments rather than bed and breakfast type accommodations, so worth checking. With 8, it may be difficult to find enough beds in close proximity, particularly with short notice.
Posted by
751 posts
Yes, many cities in the US and internationally require some sort of short term residential occupational permits/licenses for short term housing rentals that have rentals for under 30 days. So perhaps wherever you plan to stay in Scotland is now establishing/enforcing such requirements. Of course the Airbnb rep would say they aren't aware; they would bury their head in the sand. It's between the
city and the dwelling owner to have the required permit.
If it starts in 2 weeks, owners within the city you are referencing, have likely been made aware for some time by the city.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1841 posts
Looks like this is a possible answer to all the short term conversions taking place in a lot of cities. I would be interested to know the cost of the license. Must be huge for people to cancel customers or these AirBnB folks have been under the radar of the revenue officials and are afraid of getting caught for income tax evasion.
Posted by
US
108 posts
I believe the short term rentals, or short term lets (STL), licensing require was put into place last fall with each Council responsible for STLs under their jurisdiction. Each Council has a a web page that provides the status of those property owners who have submitted an application for licensing. This is an example:
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/licences/short-term-lets-licence/register:
From what I understand there are more than basic health and safety requirements that must be met. One property owner told us he is required to provide certification that his older property had sufficient insulation to minimize heat loss from the cottage. Trades people, electricians, plumbers etc., must provide paperwork that inspections have been preformed and the property is compliant.
We had an accommodation on Orkney that fell through 3 weeks before our visit. After an hour of searching I luckily was able to find another stay.
My advice is to ask accommodation owners for their STL number. If the license is still under review the property owner still should have a registration acceptance number of some sort.
Edit: Sorry the above link does not work? From the Council's website:
"Argyll and Bute has a licence scheme in place for short term lets, as required by Scottish Government legislation.....Existing hosts (operating before the 1 October 2022) can continue operating until their application is determined but new hosts require to be licenced before they can commence letting.. After 1st October 2023, existing hosts can only continue to operate if they hold a short-term let licence, or hold a temporary licence, or have submitted an application for a licence which is pending determination by the Council. Otherwise, they must cease providing short-term let accommodation..."
Posted by
Washington DC
27614 posts
Skyegirl warned us about this some time ago. She said there might be small-property owners who decided to withdraw from the lodging market due to the cost of compliance.
Posted by
Banchory, Scotland
282 posts
Skyegirl warned us about this some time ago. She said there might be small-property owners who decided to withdraw from the lodging market due to the cost of compliance.
I have friends who did exactly this. They weathered the covid pandemic lockdowns and a lack of B&B income and realised they could manage financially without it. So when the time came for license compliance they closed their website, removed their listings from AirBnB and took up voluntary work locally instead.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1841 posts
It appears that the actual license is not so expensive, but the conditions that are required would be expensive if your accommodation does not pass a lot of inspections. Fire, water, energy, gas, electric, portable appliances, building and liability insurance, etc.
It appears not to be a control of local housing in so much as a protection of the renters health and safety. Must be a rash of anything goes as a rental and the government wants to protect the public from unsafe accommodations. As a potential renter that should make tourists feel more comfortable renting from a licensed accommodation.
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory-record/1542802/short-term-lets
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1257 posts
Here is a link to the Scottish Government info on the Short Term Let Legislation. STL info
As I have said previously the requirements of this legislation, which applies to B&B, self catering, camping pods etc has been that some small providers decided to close rather than incur the costs of compliance. For myself, a small two room B&B open for only 12 weeks each year (through choice), it cost us approx £2,000 to get all the necessary checks and certificates in addition to the cost of the actual licence (approx £350 for three years). We intend to retire after those three years.
Any accommodation covered by the legislation must include their STL licence number within their listing information. I can’t comment for Airbnb but the provider I use required us to input the licence number within their website.