Highland MSP Kate Forbes calls on people to respond to Scottish Government consultation on rented holiday homes
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Highlanders have been called on to take part in a consultation on rented holiday homes in the region amid concerns locals are being priced out of the market by AirBnB style lets.
Finance Secretary and Highland MSP Kate Forbes says it is essentially that locals are heard and that any debate on the issue is based soundly on the facts rather than “unfounded fears.”
The Scottish Government’s latest consultation on short-term lets is aimed at ensuring that local authorities have the powers they need to balance the needs and concerns of their communities with wider economic and tourism interests.
A recent story in the media provoked an angry reaction when it was revealed that a woman in the West Highland village of Ullapool was finding it difficult to recruit staff to clean and maintain 30 holiday properties nearby.
The West Highlands has been particularly hard hit by the boom in tourism-related holiday lets which typically make far more money than those wishing to rent a property long-term while also reducing the housing stock.
Many councillors and politicians and others believe those issues taken together contribute to the depopulation that is destroying many Highland communities.
The last consultation attracted over 1000 responses and to consider the proposed legislation in more detail a stakeholder group was set-up whose recommendations led to further changes which are the basis of the current consultation.
Shona Robison, the Scottish Government’s new housing minister, has stated in the ministerial foreword that all short-term lets in Scotland must be licensed by 1 April 2024.
Ms Forbes said: “Following the last round of consultation, when I was contacted by scores of constituents, I am well-aware of the strength of feeling about the short-term lets debate.
“Whilst it is a complex and multi-faceted problem with no easy answers, I hope that the debate centres around facts rather than unfounded fears.
“Furthermore, if we are serious about tackling the West Highland housing crisis, then I believe that this needs to be a much broader discussion than previously.
“I would encourage everyone with an interest to take the time to fully read the proposals and make their voice heard
“The Scottish Government has been clear that a very basic health and safety scheme will be established, as is the case for nearly every other business and sector in Scotland.
“And this will be the last opportunity for the various stakeholder groups – be it tourism accommodation providers or those who can’t find a place to stay in their home area – to comment and help shape the final proposal.”
Responses can only be submitted online, and interested parties have until 13 August to contribute.
