South Ayrshire Council is set to adopt powers that will allow it to regulate hundreds of short-term lets and ensure landlords are ‘fit and proper’, following a boom in Airbnb lets.
Over the last few years short term lets have been criticised for denying people accommodation in their communities, particularly tourist destinations like South Ayrshire,
The Scottish Government introduced legislation in January, making licensing for short term lets mandatory and giving councils more control over their operation and balance the needs of landlords with those of the community.
It will also see input from the police and fire services.
South Ayrshire has average of 400 short terms lets available at any given time. This includes self-catered properties, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and glamping pods among others.
The council’s cabinet will consider the new licensing policy together with the creation of a temporary officer to deal with the setting up and early management of the scheme. This would costs £67,000 over two years.
A report to cabinet states: “The aim of the scheme is to ensure that short term lets are safe, address issues and concerns faced by neighbours and allow Councils to gain knowledge and understanding of the impact these lets have on the wider housing system.”
“The majority of lets are of a whole dwellinghouse, or a ‘secondary let’ as the regulations note.”
The mandatory conditions include requirements such as gas, electric and fire safety checks alongside conditions relating to repairs and maintenance, maximum occupancy and insurance.
During a consultation with residents, hosts and industry bodies, a number of additional conditions, over and above the mandatory licensing requirements were suggested.
These cover anti-social behaviour, privacy and security of neighbours, waste, noise and requirement to seek permission from other owners to provide ‘key boxes’.
A further option open to the council is a ‘short term let control’ area. This allows for a condition requiring a change of use application via planning.
This was strongly backed by residents around Ayr harbour.
However, officials have suggested the other powers granted through the scheme should be sufficient and would monitor it, while allowing for changes in the future.
All new short term lets must apply for a licence on or after October 1, 2022. Already existing short-term lets will have until April 1, 2023 to apply for a licence.
All short term lets in South Ayrshire will require to be licensed by April 1, 2024.
Every licence application would require consultation with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, along with the council’s environmental health service and planning and building standards departments.
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