Concerns have been raised over a new scheme which will see up to 200 short-term let properties across West Dunbartonshire requiring licences.
The Scottish Government granted new licensing powers to councils and all local authorities, which must have a new mandatory licensing system in place by October 1.
The new rules mean all self-catering properties, such as Airbnbs, B&Bs, guest houses, glamping pods and yurts will need to apply for a licence.
West Dunbartonshire Council officers warn it will result in a “substantial increase” in staff workload.
Councillors approved a 34-page draft policy at a licensing committee meeting last week, which will be reviewed after 18 months.
Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, responded to the council’s consultation on the draft policy, saying there was “a presumption of bad practice”.
She said many of the additional conditions set out by West Dunbartonshire Council in the policy were “wholly unnecessary” and urged the local authority to “minimise the regulatory burden on small business”.
In a letter, she wrote: “Throughout the draft policy and additional conditions, there is a presumption of bad practice against the short-term let industry, from issues such as anti-social behaviour to waste management, which we find incredibly disheartening and disappointing given the immense economic opportunities the sector provides to the region as well as the fact that many businesses in the area have been a welcome part of the community for decades.”
She added: “Incidents of anti-social behaviour in self-catering premises are rare.
“Last year, the ASSC submitted Freedom of Information requests to all 32 local authorities in Scotland and the results of this
show that there is a mismatch between perception and reality: the number of ASB complaints against holiday lets in Scotland over the past five years is minimal.”
The licensing scheme includes new mandatory safety requirements that will cover every type of short-term let.
It will also include a ‘fit and proper’ test to assess whether an applicant is suitable to be the holder of a licence
Every application will require consultation with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and consultation may be carried out with the council’s environmental health service and planning and building standards services.
The council also has the discretion to apply further appropriate conditions to address any local concerns
A report which went to the meeting read: “The licensing scheme was brought in by the Scottish Government with the aim to ensure short-term lets are safe, address issues faced by neighbours, to facilitate local authorities in knowing and understanding
what is happening with regard to short-term lets in their area and allow them to handle complaints effectively.
“It also enables local authorities to ensure the people providing short-term lets are suitable providers.
“The legislation aims to make sure that the economic and tourism benefits from short-term lets are balanced with the needs and concerns of local communities.”
It added: “Introducing a licensing scheme on the scale of the short-term let sector in West Dunbartonshire Council area will be a significant undertaking for the council to effectively deliver.
“From research carried out by council officers, figures suggest that there are approximately 150-200 properties that will require to be licensed within the West Dunbartonshire Council area.
“This will result in a substantial increase in workload and will place an additional pressure on staff processing applications.”
Any application which attracts an adverse representation or objection will require to go to the licensing committee for a formal hearing.
