A Highland-wide control zone to limit Airbnb-style lets has been suggested as a way of tackling a shortage of homes across the region. Councillors proposing the move said 7,011 short-term let licences had been granted across the Highlands, but only four refused. Holiday lets are not banned in control areas, but operators need planning permission as well as a short-term lets licence. The councillors said the powers could be used where there was local demand for them. Highland Council officials said control area status for the whole of the Highlands would require research and, if it was introduced, could mean additional costs and workload for its planning department. The idea of Highland-wide status has been suggested by Inverness councillors Michael Gregson and Duncan Macpherson. In a paper going to next week's meeting of the full council, they said the region neededmore than 24,000 homes over the next 10 years. They added: "The private long-term rental market has shrunk disastrously: estate agents are withdrawing from letting out properties because of the shortage of properties available. "Even taking into account the efforts of Highland Council and the housing associations, there is a shortage of affordable housing." The councillors said the local authority should first ask the Scottish government to revisit its original plan to have an overprovision policy within short-term lets legislation. They said if that was not possible, then to seek approval for Highland control area status. In their response, officials said there would be financial implications for the local authority around both suggestions from the councillors. They also said there could be potential challenges to Highland-wide status. City of Edinburgh Council had to amend its licensing schemefollowing a court ruling. The whole of the City of Edinburgh Council area was designated Scotland's first short-term let control areain September 2022. A law requiring operators to have a licence came into force across Scotlandin October the following year. Highland Council's first control zone was approved in December 2023and covers Badenoch and Strathspey. Councillors who supported its introduction said it was needed because workers and local young people had difficulties finding affordable homes. But the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (ASSC) said at the time that targeting legitimate small businesses to address longstanding housing issues showed "a muddled sense of priorities".
Limit on Airbnb-style lets in Highlands proposed
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Proposal for Highland-Wide Control Zone on Short-Term Lets to Address Housing Shortage"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
In the Highlands, a proposal has emerged for a Highland-wide control zone aimed at regulating Airbnb-style short-term lets, which has become a significant concern amid a regional housing crisis. Local councillors have highlighted that a staggering 7,011 short-term let licenses have been granted in the area, with only four applications being denied. While holiday lets would not be entirely banned in designated control areas, operators would be required to obtain both planning permission and a short-term let license. This move is seen as essential due to the alarming shortage of affordable housing, with councillors Michael Gregson and Duncan Macpherson advocating for the control zone. They argue that the Highlands needs over 24,000 homes in the next decade, as the private rental market continues to decline, with many estate agents withdrawing from property letting due to insufficient availability. The councillors have suggested that the local authority should request the Scottish government to reconsider its initial plans regarding short-term let overprovision policies, and if that fails, to support the establishment of a Highland control area status.
Highland Council officials have acknowledged the need for further research before implementing a control zone that spans the entire region, citing potential financial implications and increased workload for the planning department. The introduction of Highland-wide status could face challenges, as demonstrated by the City of Edinburgh Council's recent adjustments to its licensing scheme following a court ruling. Edinburgh became the first area in Scotland to establish a short-term let control zone in September 2022, mandating that operators obtain licenses by October 2023. The initial control zone in the Highlands, approved in December 2023, specifically covers Badenoch and Strathspey, responding to concerns from local workers and young residents struggling to find affordable housing. In contrast, the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers has criticized the approach, arguing that targeting legitimate small businesses to solve long-standing housing issues demonstrates a confused prioritization of resources.
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