Action over a surge in holiday lets
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ONLINE giant Airbnb has welcomed Scottish Government plans to allow councils to regulate short-term lets across the country – amid calls for action in the Highlands.
The announcement last week by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart confirmed that Highland Council will be given new powers to licence and limit the number of short-term lets.
The Highlands has suffered disproportionately compared to other parts of the country amid depopulation, particularly among young people, in many areas due to locals being priced out of the market.
That leads to huge waiting lists for social housing, which the local authority is struggling to catch-up with, while the problem is compounded by having so many properties utilised as Airbnbs or other types of holiday lets.
Last year a Scottish Government study showed that almost one in five dwellings on Skye is now an Airbnb – 1083 listings for 5813 dwellings.
But it is a Highland-wide problem, with other hotspots including Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh where one in ten properties are let – 10.73 per cent.
Aird and Loch Ness is edging close to the others with 9.87 per cent occupancy.
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said: “In the Highlands short-term lets such as Airbnb have undoubtedly restricted the number of properties available for those in need of a home. This is exacerbating the pressures on housing.
“The proposals announced by the Scottish Government will give Highland Council new powers to control the number of short-term lets and ensure they make a fair contribution to the services they use.”
Airbnb said it would like more clarity on the proposals, but a spokesman added: “We have long supported calls for fair regulations. Now we want to work with the Scottish Government and local authorities on clear and simple guidance for hosts.
“Together we can help locals share their homes and follow the rules, and avoid a system that excludes working families through fees, barriers and bureaucracy.”
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