Perth and Kinross tourism businesses have raised growing concerns over mooted short-term let legislation as they attempt to bounce back from the pandemic.
The proposed short-term let licensing scheme was first revealed a few years ago but proposals were withdrawn ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections.
However, it is back on the table once more and could affect self-catering accommodation providers, B&Bs, guest houses, glamping sites and other short-term locales if brought in.
Ministers had drawn up the scheme to give councils new powers to tackle problems caused by the rapid growth of Airbnb-style holiday lets.
The proposals came in response to concerns that the growth of short-term lets was pushing up rent levels for other properties.
Concerns were also raised over increased litter, noise and anti-social behaviour.
If passed, local authorities will have until April 1, 2022, to establish a scheme tailored to their needs and existing hosts will have until April 1, 2023 to apply.
Sheona Glenville-Sutherland (55) runs Tighnavon Glamping Pods at Kinloch Rannoch with partner Ian Philp (58).
She echoed fears from the industry sector that rural independent businesses like hers will be “lumped in” with Airbnb lets and city-scape properties in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“It seems like strange timing for it to be proposed considering the year we have had,” she said.
“There are concerns over the fact that businesses like us may be lumped in the same category as Airbnbs and places in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but we are just eight glamping pods.
“How is it comparable?
“There would be cost implications as a result. I don’t think anyone wants to put up their prices to cover costs.
“We pride ourselves on value for money and it would not be right.”
She added: “Another concern is that it is meant to be a six-month application process and that would mean we can’t guarantee bookings for anybody.
“We would be unavailable to take bookings with certainty when waiting for our application.
“Some visitors book months in advance, others for that same week. It will cause a lot of uncertainty.
“How do you plan ahead and invest in your business if you are not sure whether you can book or not?
“Some form of regulation is fine but now with COVID people are having to close up. The timing does not seem right.”
Highland ward councillor John Duff and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser are both calling on the Scottish Government to “stop and listen” to local business owners who have contacted them to complain about the plan.
Cllr Duff said: “Self-catering businesses bring in over £720 million to the Scottish economy and the introduction of this scheme could result in many self-catering businesses closing with the additional knock on effect to local economies.
“The SNP expect local authorities to implement these regular inspections of all self-catering properties and to administer the licensing scheme.
“I understand that the Scottish Government will not provide any additional funding to councils and therefore the full costs will fall to self-caterers.”
Mr Fraser added: “The SNP have brought back these misguided proposals after they sneaked them out following parliament coming off for the summer recess.
“They need to stop and listen to these business owners.”
In response, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Regulation of short term lets is needed to balance the needs and concerns of residents and communities with wider economic and tourism interests.
“The suggestion that we have been anything other than up-front about these proposals is wrong and entirely at odds with the facts.
“This is the third public consultation on the regulation of short-term lets.
“This has been a transparent process and we have been clear since January 2020 that regulation of short-term lets would include a licensing scheme.
“Many hosts and operators will already be complying with these requirements as a matter of best practice, or compliance with existing laws.”
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney has urged as many businesses as possible to have their say on a consultation over the issue, which closes on Friday, August 13.
He said: “The Scottish Government has taken a careful approach to this proposed legislation and has ensured that the views of all stakeholders are heard.
“It is why we have held two previous consultations on this subject, resulting in over 2000 submissions. It is worth noting that the estimated cost of this licensing scheme will be the equivalent of only £11 per month, and that many businesses currently meeting basic safety standards should already meet most, if not all, of the qualifying criteria.”
