Edinburgh

Edinburgh Council to ask for city-wide powers to control short-term lets

A proposal to ask the Scottish Government to designate Edinburgh as a short-term let (STL) control area has been approved by councillors on the city council’s Planning Committee.

The report discussed follows an extensive consultation with the public, as well as industry bodies.

If the Scottish Government agrees with this approach, residential property owners wholly letting a property as an STL, which is not their principal home, would need to apply for planning permission for a ‘change of use’.

The introduction of powers to create a control area follows the authority calling for new legislation to tighten up the control of STLs to help manage high concentrations of secondary letting where it affects the availability of residential housing or the character of a neighbourhood.

Also, it will help to restrict or prevent STLs in places or types of buildings where they are not appropriate, as well as making sure homes are used to best effect in their areas, the council said.

Renting out a room(s) in a private home or letting a home whilst on holiday would still be allowed if Edinburgh became a STL control area.

The Scottish Parliament has approved legislation which will introduce a new licensing scheme, which will come into effect later this year and will address the issues of safety, anti-social behaviour and noise.

These issues have all had a detrimental effect on communities, as the number of STLs has greatly increased across Edinburgh in recent years, the authority said.

Commenting, City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Convener, Councillor Neil Gardiner said

“Around a third of STLs in Scotland are in Edinburgh. They're in every council ward in the city, with concentrations in some areas.

“So, today’s decision is great news for people across the city and I’m pleased committee unanimously got behind the proposal.

“We worked hard calling for new legislation to help us have greater controls over STLs and we’re now in a position to move forward and ask government if the whole of the city can be zoned as a STL control area.

“If approved by government, these new powers for Edinburgh will provide the clarity we need where planning permission is required for a change of use.

“Just now, if it's reported to us that a property has changed its use without planning permission, our enforcement team has to look at each case individually. This is a very lengthy and time-consuming process.

“The new short-term let control area would complement the new licensing legislation. We also called for this and I’m pleased to see they will work tandem, you’ll need the right planning consent for your property when obtaining a licence.”

The committee’s Vice-Convener, Councillor Maureen Child added:

“The report we considered today highlights the growing pressures of the STL commercial market, which requires a cross-city approach to regulations. With high concentrations in central areas, there are commercial STLs in every council ward in this city.

“In some areas, STLs have hollowed out communities, put more pressure on the housing market causing prices to rise and created other issues, such as anti-social behaviour and noise.

“So, I’m delighted we’re now asking for government approval to adopt this legislation for the whole of Edinburgh.”

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