Councils need powers to to regulate spread of Airbnb

The Scottish Green Party has called for councils to be given new powers to license the growing number of short-term lets, through websites like Airbnb.

MSP Graham Wightman said local authorities need the extra powers to regulate the growing sector and ‘prevent further erosion of communities and loss of housing’.

Mr Wightman made the call as part of the latest instalment of the Greens’ Homes First campaign, which warns that the growth of commercial short-term lets is ‘out of control’ in cities like Edinburgh.

According to the campaign, much-needed homes are being bought up by investors and then rented out on a short-term and unregulated basis, through various websites.

The campaign warns that this in turn has lead to a shortage of permanent housing stock and a high turnover of temporary residents.

In order to regulate the growing sector, Mr Wightman has suggested councils be given the power to introduce licensing schemes under the civic government act 1982, in order to regulate the operation of short-term lets.

Another option would be to create a new ‘use class order’ in the planning system, which would mean local authorities could classify homes being used for commercial holidays or short breaks as short-term lets.

Last year, as part of its evidence to the Scottish expert panel on the collaborative economy, the website Airbnb suggested limiting short-term rents through all websites in Edinburgh city centre to just 90 nights a year, with exceptions for any visits during and including the Edinburgh Fringe and Christmas and New Year.

‘These examples of legislation are intended to generate wider discussion about a situation that is clearly causing distress in communities such as Edinburgh,’ said Mr Wightman.

‘It seems reasonable to me that is someone rents out a room or their home for less than one month a year, and it remains their main residence there should be no requirement for them to apply for either planning consent or a licence from the council, but where there is clear commercial activity, a change of use must be applied for and a licence sought,’ added Mr Wightman.

‘Scottish ministers don’t seem to get the difference between a person letting out a space room or flat, while they go away on holiday and an investor buying a property for the intention of running a commercial business.’

Edinburgh council’s housing and economy convener, Gavin Barrie said: ‘In December, the council unanimously agreed a motion regarding short-term lets. Last month, I chaired a meeting to give councillors, officers and AirBnB the opportunity to discuss future regulation of the short term let industry.

‘The meeting was very helpful and we are now working with officers on proposals, which will also be informed by the Scottish Government’s report, which will go to a future committee meeting.

‘In order that we can find the right solution for Edinburgh we will also continue to work with industry groups and the Scottish Government regarding regulation going forward.”

In a statement, Airbnb said: ‘Airbnb guests boost Scotland’s economy by £1m a day and we are pleased to be working with the government on clear home sharing rules, so more Scots can benefit directly from innovative forms of tourism.’

• More information on the Homes First campaign here.