Today's news from the P&J:
Jacqui (Skyegirl) - Is this what you were referring to a few months ago?
So much for my dreams of running a B&B in Scotland!
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
610 posts
As a buyer, not a seller, I'm not sure I understand the problem with another license fee. Except for a very recent property exchange (at an inflated price), it seems that given the recent climb in prices, just a few full houses per month, and your mortgage is paid. Maybe a seasonal license would make sense since vacancy rates fluctuate so much?
Here in the States, in high tourist areas, your application is routinely rejected if some statistical housing value is exceeded. You have no recourse but to wait for someone's retirement to move you up the list.
I hope Jacqui will educate us on B&B economics.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1124 posts
Yes this is exactly what I was referring to in an earlier post. The cost of the licence is not too steep for a very small B&B - a few hundred pounds for 3 years. But the hoops you have to jump through in terms of bureaucracy make me wonder if it’s worth continuing. Floor plans drawn to scale, fire risk assessment, legionella risk assessment, PAT testing of all appliances, a full electrical check on the house electrical system (at a cost of £800), and many more things that have slipped my mind (I’m on holiday on North Uist and don’t have everything to hand). Our home is only a few years old and in tip top condition so all these requirements seem excessive.
We are only open 12 weeks per year and are discussing whether to bother applying for a licence so August might be our last month as B&B hosts. We are fortunate not to need the income (we are retired senior civil servants) but others are not in our position and want or need to sell their businesses. But they can’t sell as a going concern as the licence doesn’t transfer to the new owner. And there’s no guarantee a new owner would be granted a licence.
Visitors next year can expect fewer options and higher prices.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1646 posts
It is one of those issues where the goal - making sure the accomodation is safe and up to standard, and that housing does not get sucked up into short term leasing too much where there is a housing shortage, but the way it is being done is not necessary.
The City of Edinburgh's system got struck down by the Court of Session last month I think.