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Urgent action needed to tackle rising numbers of short-term property lets, says Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick after visiting Highland Housing Alliance


By Val Sweeney

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Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick says there is a lack of affordable housing in the region.
Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick says there is a lack of affordable housing in the region.

Urgent action is needed to tackle increasing numbers of short-term property lets in the Highlands, according to an MSP.

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick says there is a lack of affordable housing across the region as properties are removed from the housing market for short-term accommodation.

She called on councillors to implement control zones as quickly as possible to help tackle the issue.

Ms Roddick made her comments after visiting Highland Housing Alliance where she heard about its work to provide more affordable housing for rent and sale and the recent handover of three new properties to Highland Council plus future projects.

“There is a distinct lack of affordable housing across the Highlands and Islands and this is devastating for my constituents and their communities,” she said.

“It’s one of the most common issues that constituents get in touch with my office about.”

Almost 2000 young people in the region signed an open letter last year raising concerns over rising house prices and an increase in holiday-let properties which they called an “existential” crisis.

“Sadly, not much has changed since then,” she said. “The number of properties being removed from the housing market to provide short-term accommodation is continuing to climb steadily, raising prices and reducing availability of homes.”

Council engaging with Scottish Government on licensing of short-term lets

Ms Roddick who received a commitment from the Cabinet Secretary for Housing last year that she would revisit the issue of increasing numbers of short-term lets, added she will continue to press the issue.


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