Cllr Kate Campbell

Last year, the council set up a working group to look at the issues short term lets are creating in Edinburgh and the council has been working with the Scottish Government to set out its preference for a licensing regime.

Licensing would mean the same rules and regulations would apply to short-term lets that currently apply to other types of visitor accommodation, making it safer residents as well as for people visiting Edinburgh.

Cllr Kate Campbell said: “Short term lets are hollowing out communities in Edinburgh, reducing housing supply and creating anti-social behaviour. We’ve had reports looking at how best to use the powers we currently have, but more importantly calling for a licensing regime. 

“We are using planning enforcement but this is resource intensive because each case has to be investigated and determined on its own merits. But we want to get the message out that we can, and will take action, particularly where the impact is especially detrimental to neighbours or the wider community.

“One of the biggest concerns is the impact on housing supply and affordability of homes. It’s good to see this explicitly referenced in the consultation. This shows that the work we’ve been doing with the Scottish Government has been the right approach to getting the outcomes that residents in the city need.

“I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation to help shape policy and legislation so we can properly control short-term lets in the city.”

The consultation is available here.